2022 Pacific hurricane season

2022 Pacific hurricane season

First system formed	May 28, 2022
Last system dissipated	Season ongoing
Strongest storm1	Orlene – 949 mbar (hPa) (28.02 inHg), 130 mph (215 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
Total depressions	17
Total storms	17
Hurricanes	9
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+)	3
Total fatalities	24 total
Total damage	Unknown
1Strongest storm is determined by lowest pressure
Pacific hurricane seasons 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Related article
Timeline of the 2022 Pacific hurricane season

The 2022 Pacific hurricane season is the current cycle of the annual tropical cyclone season in the Eastern and Central Pacific Ocean in the Northern Hemisphere. The season officially began on May 15 in the Eastern Pacific, and on June 1 in the Central Pacific; both will end on November 30. These dates historically describe the period each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in these regions of the Pacific and are adopted by convention.

There has been near average activity in the eastern Pacific so far this season, with sixteen named storms, nine hurricanes, and three major hurricanes forming, including one Atlantic storm entering the basin. The first named storm of the season, Hurricane Agatha, formed on May 28, and made landfall two days later at Category 2 strength on the Saffir–Simpson scale, making it the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall during the month of May in the Eastern Pacific basin. In June, Hurricane Blas and Tropical Storm Celia caused heavy rainfall over southwestern Mexico despite remaining offshore. The season's first major hurricane, Hurricane Bonnie, entered into the basin from the Atlantic on July 2, after crossing Nicaragua as a tropical storm, becoming the first storm to survive the crossover from the Atlantic to the Pacific since Hurricane Otto in 2016. In September, tropical storms Javier, Lester, and Madeline all caused flooding across the Pacific coast of Mexico, though none left severe damage. Hurricane Kay also formed that month, and struck the Baja California Peninsula before bringing gale-force winds to the continental United States, becoming the first Pacific hurricane to do so since Hurricane Nora 25 years earlier.

Seasonal forecasts

Record		Named storms	Hurricanes	Major hurricanes	Ref
Average (1991–2020):		15	8	4
Record high activity:		1992: 27	2015: 16	2015: 11
Record low activity:		2010: 8	2010: 3	2003: 0
Date	Source	Named storms	Hurricanes	Major hurricanes	Ref
May 17, 2022	SMN	14–19	6–9	2–4
May 24, 2022	NOAA	10–17	4–8	0–3
	Area	Named storms	Hurricanes	Major hurricanes	Ref
Actual activity:	EPAC	16	9	3
Actual activity:	CPAC	0	0	0
Actual activity:		16	9	3

Forecasts include weekly and monthly changes in important factors that help determine the number of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes within a particular year. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average hurricane season in the Eastern and Central Pacific between 1991 and 2020 contained approximately 15 tropical storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. The NOAA generally classifies a season as above average, average, or below average based on the cumulative ACE index, but occasionally the number of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes within a hurricane season is also considered. Factors they expected to reduce activity were near- or below-average sea surface temperatures across the eastern Pacific and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation remaining in the neutral phase, with the possibility of a La Niña developing, corresponding to a low chance of an El Niño.

On May 17, 2022, the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) issued its forecast for the season, predicting a total of 14–19 named storms, 6–9 hurricanes, and 2–4 major hurricanes to develop. On May 24, 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued their outlook, calling for a below-normal season with 10–17 named storms, 4–8 hurricanes, 0–3 major hurricanes, and an accumulated cyclone energy index of 45% to 100% of the median.

Seasonal summary

For a chronological guide to this subject, see Timeline of the 2022 Pacific hurricane season.

File:Frank and Georgette 2022-07-28 2115Z.jpg

Left to right: Tropical Storm Georgette and Tropical Storm Frank on July 28

The season began with the formation of Hurricane Agatha on May 28, which rapidly intensified to a high-end Category 2 hurricane before making landfall along the coast of southwestern Mexico two days later. This marked the strongest Pacific hurricane to make landfall during the month of May since records began in 1949. Activity continued into June with the formation of Hurricane Blas, which caused four deaths while offshore of southwestern Mexico, and Tropical Storm Celia, which meandered across the basin for twelve days in late June. Four days after Celia dissipated, Tropical Storm Bonnie became the first to survive the crossover from the Atlantic to the Pacific since Hurricane Otto in 2016. It also became the season's first major hurricane. The same day Bonnie dissipated, the depression that would become Hurricane Darby formed. The storm rapidly intensified into the strongest storm of the season so far late on July 11, and later crossed into the Central Pacific on July 14. The following day, Hurricane Estelle formed and paralleled the coast of Mexico for most of its six-day existence. After a brief period without any active tropical cyclones, July activity continued with the formations of Hurricane Frank and Tropical Storm Georgette. The busy pace continued into August with the formation of Hurricane Howard on August 7 and Tropical Storm Ivette eight days later.

Six systems developed during September, the peak of the season. Tropical Storm Javier and then Hurricane Kay both formed off the coast of southwestern Mexico during the first week of the month and paralleled the coast offshore. Kay, the longer-lived and stronger of the two, became the first tropical cyclone to extend its effects northward into Southern California since Nora in 1997. Activity continued well into September with the formations of tropical storms Lester and Madeline, which caused flooding and a combined 4 fatalities in Mexico, after Lester made landfall there and Madeline passed closely offshore. Madeline's dissipation was closely followed by the formation of Tropical Storm Newton and then Tropical Storm Orlene to close out the month.

The accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index for the 2022 Pacific hurricane season as of 21:00 UTC on October 2, as calculated by Colorado State University using data from the NHC, is approximately 103.8 units. Broadly speaking, ACE is a measure of the power of a tropical or subtropical storm multiplied by the length of time it existed. An ACE number represents sum of the squares of the maximum sustained wind speed (knots) for all named storms while they are at least tropical storm intensity, divided by 10,000. Therefore, tropical depressions are not included.

Systems

Hurricane Agatha

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
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Duration	May 28 – May 31
Peak intensity	110 mph (175 km/h) (1-min)  964 mbar (hPa)

Main article: Hurricane Agatha

During May 22, The National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted the possible development of a low-pressure area located several miles offshore the southwestern coast of Mexico. Taking a westward track, a broad area of low pressure developed with producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms at around 06:00 UTC on May 24. By May 28, the system had become sufficiently organized to be classified as a tropical depression, becoming the first system of this season. At 09:00 UTC on the same day, the storm strengthened into a tropical storm and was given the name Agatha, as its convection had organized significantly along with it having developed a small central dense overcast. Agatha continued to organize based on satellite imagery, with curved bands forming. Later, a burst of convection formed near the center, and microwave imagery revealed that Agatha had improved its convective structure and better aligned its low-level circulation. The NHC assessed the system to have strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale by 12:00 UTC on May 29. Agatha soon began to rapidly intensify due to stalling over an area of warm water near 86 °F (30 °C) with little vertical wind shear; nine hours later, the system was assessed to have become a high end Category 2 hurricane, with winds of 95 kn (110 mph; 175 km/h)%s and a minimum central pressure of 964 mbar (28.5 inHg). As the system approached the coast of Mexico, the satellite indicated that the storm displayed eye convection and remained quite symmetrical around the center of the hurricane. At 21:00 UTC on May 30, the cyclone made landfall near Puerto Ángel, Oaxaca. Agatha's sustained winds fell to Category 1 strength about three hours later, when it was located about 15 mi (25 km) north-northeast of Puerto Ángel. As the system moved over the mountainous terrain of Oaxaca on May 31, it deteriorated quickly, weakening into a tropical storm by 03:00 UTC, and into a tropical depression by 12:00 UTC. Agatha's low-level center dissipated later that same day.

Heavy rain brought by the storm triggered landslides and flash flooding in many parts of Oaxaca. Agatha killed nine people, all in the Sierra Madre del Sur, with six others missing.

Hurricane Blas

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
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Duration	June 14 – June 20
Peak intensity	90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min)  976 mbar (hPa)

Main article: Hurricane Blas (2022)

On June 7, The NHC first forecast the formation of an area of low pressure just to the south of Gulf of Tehuantepec and noted its potential for possible tropical development. Four days later, a low-pressure area formed, and its shower activity showed signs of increased organization. Early on June 14, the low pressure system had become a depression while its center was located about 395 mi (635 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Colima. Later that day, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Blas. Satellite imagery revealed that a convective core developed. Blas retained a well-defined structure with banding features, as a circular central dense overcast became embedded on the system. Blas continued to rapidly strengthen as it developed an inner core, and the storm became a Category 1 system at 15:00 UTC on June 15. Blas then continued to improve its structure, developing a mid-level eye on the western portions of the cyclone. An upper-level outflow and cold cloud tops caused the cyclone to maintain its intensity; however, central deep convection only occurred in Blas' southern semicircle. Blas strengthened further on June 17, reaching its peak intensity with maximum 1-min sustained winds increasing to near 90 mph (150 km/h). Later in the day however, conditions turned unfavorable and the system began to deteriorate. Its mid-level center became sheared off to the southwest, with no deep convection near the surface center, and by 03:00 UTC on June 18, Blas had weakened to a tropical storm. At 09:00 UTC on June 20, the storm was downgraded to a tropical depression, and six hours later, it transitioned to a post-tropical cyclone while about 350 mi (565 km) southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula.

The high winds and heavy rains caused landslides, loosening of hills, overflowing of streams and floods in several Mexican states, especially Michoacán and Guerrero. Blas caused four deaths, two in Guerrero and two in Puebla. Overall damage was relatively minimal.

Tropical Storm Celia

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
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Duration	June 16 – June 28
Peak intensity	65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min)  993 mbar (hPa)

On June 11, The NHC began to forecast that an area of low pressure would form during the next few days south or southwest off the coast of Central America. A trough of low pressure formed a couple of hundred miles southwest of the coast of Nicaragua two days later. The convective structure within the low became better organized and at 21:00 UTC on June 16, the NHC classified the disturbance as a tropical depression while it was situated 205 mi (330 km) south-southwest of San Salvador, El Salvador. On the next day, the system strengthened into a tropical storm, and was assigned the name Celia. Soon afterward however, the storm's overall satellite presentation began to degrade, with its deepest convection becoming displaced far to the northwest of the exposed low-level circulation, and Celia was downgraded to a tropical depression on June 18. The depression was adversely affected by strong upper-level winds, which resulted moderate wind shear as it moved west-southwestward over the following few days due to the steering flow of a mid-level ridge to its north. Deep convection increased on June 21, and Celia re-strengthened into a tropical storm. The storm intensified slightly the following day as it moved west-northwestward at 7 kn (10 mph; 15 km/h)%s, while being steered by a strong mid-level ridge centered over the south-central United States. The deep-layer shear that had for days impeded Celia's development into a stronger storm diminished considerably on June 24, and the storm intensified, attaining sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) with a minimum barometric pressure of later that day. On June 25, Celia passed to the south of Socorro Island and moved into cooler waters. Although it began to weaken, the system rebounded unexpectedly late on June 26, as a mid-level eye developed and winds rose to 50 kn (60 mph; 95 km/h)%s. This re-intensification was brief however, and by early the next day, Celia was only producing small bursts of convection on the western and southern portions of its circulation. At 09:00 UTC on June 28, Celia weakened into a tropical depression, and degenerated into a remnant low 12 hours later.

While stalled off the coast of Central America, heavy rainfall from Celia and a nearby low-pressure system affected over 28,000 people in Guatemala. One death has been attributed to Celia. It occurred in Oaxaca, where a man drowned.

Hurricane Bonnie

Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
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Duration	July 2 (Entered basin) – July 9
Peak intensity	115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min)  964 mbar (hPa)

Main article: Hurricane Bonnie (2022)

At around 15:00 UTC on July 2, Tropical Storm Bonnie emerged into the Eastern Pacific from the Atlantic basin after crossing Nicaragua. Bonnie steadily reorganized as it moved westward away from the coast. Satellite images from later on July 2, revealed the storm to have a deep convective curved band with −117 °F (−83 °C) cloud tops enveloping its west side. This strengthening trend continued, and by the end of the next day, the primary band had become wrapped completely around the center and an inner core was developing. At 03:00 UTC on July 4, Bonnie became a hurricane while located about 210 mi (340 km) south of Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, and attained Category 2 strength later that same day. By early on July 5, Bonnie's inner core structure had become well-developed with a 10 nmi-wide (10 mi; 20 km)%s eye. As a result, the hurricane was able to reach Category 3 strength by 15:00 UTC that day. Beginning several hours afterward and continuing into July 6, Bonnie's cloud pattern deteriorated and the central convection became less organized due to moderate north-northeasterly shear, causing it to weaken to Category 2 strength. The system maintained wind speeds of around 90 kn (105 mph; 165 km/h)%s for much of that day as it moved west-northwestward away from the Mexican coast, before weakening to Category 1 strength with winds of 80 kn (90 mph; 150 km/h)%s on July 7. Bonnie's intensity continued to decrease the following day as it moved into cooler waters with sea surface temperatures of 75–77 °F (24–25 °C), where it weakened to a tropical storm about 825 mi (1,330 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. Then, on July 9, Bonnie degenerated into a post-tropical low as all deep convection within ceased.

Hurricane Darby

Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS)
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Duration	July 9 – July 17
Peak intensity	140 mph (220 km/h) (1-min)  954 mbar (hPa)

On July 5, the NHC began forecasting that an area of low pressure would develop well south of the southern coast of Mexico within a few days. Late that same day, a disturbance formed south of the coast of Central America, associated with a tropical wave. Thunderstorm activity associated with the tropical wave and a broad area of low pressure became better organized on July 8 and into July 9, with a well-defined curved band to the north and west visible on satellite imagery, along with a burgeoning central dense overcast forming near the center, and indications that the disturbance had likely developed a closed circulation. Therefore, at 21:00 UTC, advisories were initiated on Tropical Storm Darby. The next day, the storm became better organized, with increased banding over the eastern part of its circulation along with a better developed low-level inner core structure. Darby strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane at 03:00 UTC on July 11, while located about 905 mi (1,455 km) southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. This strengthening trend continued, and Darby rapidly intensified, reaching Category 2 strength by 10:00 UTC, and becoming a Category 3 major hurricane by 13:15 UTC that same day, as a clear eye surrounded by a thick ring of −85 to −103 °F (−65 to −75 °C) cloud top temperatures developed and sustained winds increased to 110 kn (125 mph; 205 km/h)%s. Then, eight hours later, it reached Category 4 strength. While maintaining winds of 120 kn (140 mph; 220 km/h)%s on July 11, the system gained annular characteristics. The following day however, there was some erosion in the inner-core convective structure with the eye in particular becoming less distinct. As a result, Darby weakened to Category 3 strength by 15:00 UTC. Further weakening occurred later that day, and Darby dropped to Category 2 strength by 03:00 UTC on July 13. The Hurricane's eye unexpectedly reappeared later that morning, and it again reached Category 3 strength at 03:00 UTC on July 14. This re-strengthening was short lived however, as Darby weakened back to Category 2 strength six hours later as it approached and entered the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of responsibility. Darby's strength continued to wane into July 15, as the system weakened to Category 1 strength and then to tropical storm status due to moderate west-southwesterly wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures. Further weakening took place on July 16, while Darby was passing south of the Big Island of Hawaii, as its convection became poorly organized and sporadic near the center. At 03:00 UTC on July 17, Darby lost its tropical characteristics when it opened up into a trough.

At the time of Darby's passage south of Hawaii, a series of large waves from a strong south swell, some higher than 20 ft (6.1 m), hit the islands and were initially attributed to Darby. Even so, Darby had no major impact on the surf as it passed, according to Chris Brenchley of the National Weather Service office in Honolulu.

Hurricane Estelle

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
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Duration	July 15 – July 21
Peak intensity	85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min)  984 mbar (hPa)

On July 7, the NHC began monitoring the southeastern Pacific south of the coast of Central America, where a low pressure area was expected to form within a few days. The anticipated disturbance formed on July 11, far south of the coasts of Guatemala and El Salvador, producing some disorganized showers. By July 15, the disturbance had become sufficiently organized to be classified as a tropical depression by the NHC. By 03:00 UTC on July 16, the depression had strengthened, with a well defined low-level structure and a tight band of persistent deep convection near the center, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Estelle. Then, after being hindered by northeasterly shear later that same day, intense convection was able to wrapped completely around the center and Estelle rapidly intensified into a hurricane by 03:00 UTC on July 17. Twelve hours later, the sustained winds near the system's center were at 85 mph (135 km/h). It became weaker, however, as the day went on, apparently due to the inflow of dry air into its core and the effects of wind shear, and its winds fell to 80 mph (130 km/h) by day's end. The gradual weakening continued, and at 09:00 UTC on July 19, Estelle was downgraded to a tropical storm when its center was located just north of Clarion Island. Estelle's upper-level cloud shield became more symmetric later that day, due to reduced wind shear and increased convection that had wrapped around the storm's northern region. By 15:00 UTC on July 21, however, the storm had weakened to a tropical depression as it moved west-northwestward over the open ocean. Later that day the system became a remnant low.

Though Estelle remained well off shore, heavy rains fell in coastal areas of Baja California Sur, Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa, causing localized flooding and landslides.

Hurricane Frank

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
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Duration	July 26 – August 2
Peak intensity	90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min)  975 mbar (hPa)

On July 21, the NHC began forecasting that an area of low pressure would develop off the southern coasts of El Salvador and Guatemala within a few days. An area of low pressure, associated with a tropical wave, developed two days later, producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. At 09:00 UTC on July 26, after deep convection developed at the center of the disturbance and become better organized, it was designated as a tropical depression. Six hours later, the system strengthened into Tropical Storm Frank while located about 525 mi (845 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Colima. Convection near the storm's center struggled to organize due to northeasterly wind shear as the storm moved westward. The shear persisted through early on July 28. Once the shear diminished sufficiently, the storm was able to strengthen, with deep convection becoming more symmetric around the center and banding features becoming well established by late the next day. Frank consequently intensified into a hurricane by 03:00 UTC on July 30. The system moved to the northwest during the day and maintained sustained winds of 80 kn (90 mph; 150 km/h)%s for several hours, before encountering decreasing sea surface temperatures by day's end. It then began to weaken as a result, and fell to tropical storm strength early on August 1. Later, it ceased producing organized deep convection and degenerated into a post-tropical cyclone during the following day.

Tropical Storm Georgette

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
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Duration	July 27 – August 3
Peak intensity	60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min)  997 mbar (hPa)

On July 25, the NHC began monitoring an area of low pressure located southwest of the coast of southwestern Mexico for possible tropical development. The disturbance continued to become better organized and was designated as a tropical depression at 09:00 UTC on July 27. Six hours later, the depression strengthened into a compact Tropical Storm Georgette. The system remained relatively unchanged in strength during the next couple of days, though by early on July 29, its cloud pattern had become more symmetric with a well-developed rain band in the north part of the storm, and its sustained winds reached 50 kn (60 mph; 95 km/h)%s. Then, moving slowly westward, the storm waned over the next couple days, due in part to strong easterly shear generated by the outflow from the circulation of Hurricane Frank, and weakened to a tropical depression on the afternoon of July 31. Further weakening occurred on August 1–2, as the depression made a northeastward turn, steered by Frank. Then, during the afternoon of August 3, Georgette degenerated into a remnant low over the open ocean.

Hurricane Howard

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
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Duration	August 6 – August 11
Peak intensity	85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min)  983 mbar (hPa)

On August 2, the NHC began monitoring a tropical wave producing widespread showers and thunderstorms over Central America and the adjacent waters in anticipation that an area of low pressure would form once it moved over the eastern Pacific. The anticipated low developed two days later off the coasts of Guatemala and southern Mexico. By August 6, the disturbance had become sufficiently organized to be classified as a tropical depression by the NHC. Beset by dry air imported to the depression's center by moderate wind shear, the depression was unable to quickly intensify. On the afternoon of August 7, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Howard as convection began to build over the northern semicircle of the system, though the low-level circulation remained partially exposed to the south due to continuing wind shear. The storm continued to organize into the following day, and became a Category 1 hurricane at 21:00 UTC on August 8, as an eye surrounded by deepening convective banding formed. On August 9, Howard's sustained winds reached 75 kn (85 mph; 140 km/h)%s as it moved west-northwestward, before weakening to a tropical storm at 03:00 UTC on August 10. The remaining deep convection near Howard's center ceased by the middle of that same day, and the storm later degenerated into a post-tropical low.

As Howard passed off the coast of Mexico, the port of Mazatlán was closed due to large waves.

Tropical Storm Ivette

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
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Duration	August 13 – August 16
Peak intensity	40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min)  1005 mbar (hPa)

On August 7, the NHC began forecasting that an area of low pressure with a potential for tropical cyclogenesis would develop within a few days off the southwestern coast of Mexico. The low developed late the next day, producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. It gradually become better defined, and on the afternoon of August 13, was classified as a tropical depression. It tracked over warm ocean waters, but there was little improvement in its structure due to moderate to strong east-northeasterly shear, until an unexpected burst of convection during the afternoon of August 15 resulted in the intensification of the depression into Tropical Storm Ivette. Within a few hours however, that burst was shearing away to the west and Ivette soon weakened back to a tropical depression. The system then degenerated into a remnant low on August 16.

Tropical Storm Javier

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
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Duration	September 1 – September 4
Peak intensity	50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min)  999 mbar (hPa)

On August 29, the NHC noted that an area of disturbed weather had formed a few hundred miles south of Acapulco, Mexico. The low gradually organized, developing a low-level circulation on August 31. By 21:00 UTC on September 1, it had gained enough organization to be classified as a tropical depression, while situated off the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. Then, fueled by increasing deep convection over the depression's western region and near its center, the system strengthened into Tropical Storm Javier early the next day, though its circulation remained somewhat elongated. Despite that, Javier intensified some, attaining sustained winds of 45 kn (50 mph; 85 km/h)%s on September 3. Later that same day however, the storm crossed over cooler waters and began to weaken. Javier became a post-tropical cyclone on September 4, while moving out to sea.

Rainbands of Javier brought heavy rain and wind gusts to the southern Baja California peninsula as it passed offshore.

Hurricane Kay

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
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Duration	September 4 – September 10
Peak intensity	105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min)  967 mbar (hPa)

On August 30, the NHC noted that an area of disturbed weather had formed a few hundred miles south of Acapulco, Guerrero. This disturbance became organized as a tropical depression on September 4, and strengthened into Tropical Storm Kay later that same day. The storm continued to intensify, and on the morning of September 5, became a Category 1 hurricane. On the following day, the eye of the hurricane passed over Socorro Island with sustained winds of 75 kn (85 mph; 140 km/h)%s. Then, while moving north-northwestward early on September 7, Kay intensified into a Category 2 hurricane. This intensification proved short-lived however, as the cloud tops surrounding Kay's eye warmed and its overall cloud pattern became less organized and somewhat elongated later that same day, resulting in the hurricane weakening to Category 1 strength. Kay made landfall along the central Baja California peninsula coast with 75 mph (120 km/h) winds on September 8, then weakened to a tropical storm, before moving back over the ocean. The storm became a post-tropical cyclone about 145 mi (230 km) southwest of San Diego, California, overnight September 9–10, while slowly curving further offshore.

As Kay paralleled the coast of southwestern Mexico its rainbands drenched coastal states from Oaxaca north to Nayarit with up to 5.5 in (140 mm) of rain. In addition to flooding and minor damage, the hurricane was also responsible for three deaths in Guerrero. Kay also raked most of the Baja California peninsula with strong winds and heavy rain, which caused flooding and mudslides; there were no reports of injuries. Before the storm hit, over 1,600 people evacuated to shelters according to Baja California Sur state officials. Kay's outer bands also hit Southern California and southwest Arizona, bringing wind gusts of near 100 mph (160 km/h) to some areas, primarily in San Diego County, California. Rainfall totals varied across the region, with Mt. Laguna, in San Diego County, recording the highest amount at 5.08 in (129 mm). Flash flooding closed numerous roads in both states; in Imperial County, California, falling boulders impeded traffic along a stretch of I-8. The rainfall was beneficial to crews in Riverside County, California, battling the Fairview Fire, as it mitigated some of the threat posed by the high winds and dry conditions.

Tropical Storm Lester

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
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Duration	September 15 – September 17
Peak intensity	45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min)  1002 mbar (hPa)

A trough of low pressure producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms extending from the Gulf of Tehuantepec westward to near the southern coast of Mexico formed on September 11. The low remained disorganized near the southern coast of Mexico for the next few days before showing initial signs of organization early on September 15. By 21:00 UTC that same day, the circulation around the center of the low had become better defined and a curved band of convection had formed over the western and southwestern areas of the circulation. In light of these developments the system was designated Tropical Depression Thirteen-E. Surface wind speeds in portions of the circulation increased overnight, and therefore the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Lester at 09:00 UTC on September 16, even though it still had a sheared appearance. The storm became somewhat better organized late that day, but this improvement proved fleeting, due in part to its close proximity to the coast. Lester weakened to a tropical depression as it made landfall along the coast of southwestern Mexico on the afternoon of September 17, and rapidly dissipated.

Lester caused damage throughout Guerrero as its heavy rains caused flooding and mudslides. One person died when swept away by water currents.

Tropical Storm Madeline

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
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Duration	September 17 – September 20
Peak intensity	65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min)  992 mbar (hPa)

On September 12, the NHC began monitoring for potential development an small area of low pressure located off the coast of southwestern Mexico producing limited showers and thunderstorms. After several days, the disturbance became sufficiently organized on September 17, to be classified as Tropical Storm Madeline. After this, however, the storm strengthened very little though much of the next day due to deep-layer easterly shear. When it diminished on September 18, Madeline's low-level center became embedded underneath the northeastern portion of an area of deep convection with cloud tops as cold as −85 °C (−120 °F). As a result, the storm was able to attain maximum sustained winds of 55 kn (65 mph; 100 km/h)%s on September 19, when located about 175 mi (280 km) south-southeast of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. Later that same day, Madeline began to weaken, becoming first a tropical depression and then a remnant low on September 20.

At least three deaths were attributed to Madeline as it moved along the coast of southwest Mexico. Several coastal states were hit by heavy rains, strong winds and rough surf from the storm.

Tropical Storm Newton

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
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Duration	September 21 – September 25
Peak intensity	65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min)  996 mbar (hPa)

An area of low pressure formed near the coast of southwestern Mexico on September 20. Rain and thunderstorm activity within the disturbance quickly became better organized, resulting in the formation of Tropical Depression Fifteen-E at 21:00 UTC on September 21, and then of Tropical Storm Newton less than four hours later. As the storm moved west-northwestward on September 22, a tiny eye-like feature and new deep convection formed in the core, enabling it to generate sustained winds of 55 kn (65 mph; 100 km/h)%s. Later that day however, the convection at the storm's center collapsed suddenly, and although it briefly recovered, Newton began to weaken again the next morning as it passed near Socorro Island. It became a tropical depression on September 24, then degenerated into a remnant low one day later. For several days afterward, through September 29, the NHC continued monitoring Newton's remnants for possible regeneration, and its associated shower activity briefly become slightly better organized on September 28, before being stymied by increasingly unfavorable conditions.

Hurricane Orlene

Tropical Storm Orlene Template:Tropical cyclone status icons
Current storm status Tropical storm (1-min mean)
130px Satellite image 170px Forecast map
As of:	10:00 a.m. MDT (15:00 UTC) October 3
Location:	± 40 nm About 50 mi (80 km) ESE of Mazatlán, Mexico
Sustained winds:	45 knots (50 mph; 85 km/h) (1-min mean) gusting to 60 knots (70 mph; 110 km/h)
Pressure:
Movement:	NNE at 9 knots (10 mph; 17 km/h)
See more detailed information.

On September 26, the NHC noted that a low pressure area had formed south of the southwestern Mexico coast within an environment conducive for gradual tropical development. Shower and thunderstorm activity associated with this low increased the following day, and it steadily gained organization on September 28; the system developed a well-defined center late that day, becoming a tropical depression. Further development occurred overnight and the system intensified into Tropical Storm Orlene at 09:00 UTC on September 29, while located about 295 mi (475 km) south of Manzanillo, Colima. The next day, as the storm moved northward along the edge of a ridge over central Mexico, it generated a few bursts of deep convection and developed a small inner core with a curved band to the south. Orlene intensified into a Category 1 hurricane at 15:00 UTC on October 1, and to Category 2 strength about eight hours later. Orlene continued to rapidly intensify until it reached Category 4 strength at 09:00 UTC on October 2, its maximum sustained winds having increased from 55 kn (65 mph; 100 km/h)%s to 115 kn (130 mph; 215 km/h)%s in 24 hours. Wind shear from the southwest began to adversely affect the system soon thereafter, weakening it to a Category 3 hurricane six hours later, and then to Category 2 that night as it passed over the Islas Marías. Later, at 14:45 UTC on October 3, Orlene made landfall in Escuinapa, Sinaloa, as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h), according to the National Meteorological Service.

Current storm information

As of 10:00 a.m. MDT (15:00 UTC) October 3, Hurricane Orlene is located within 40 nautical miles of , about 50 miles (80 km) east-southeast of Mazatlán, Mexico. Maximum sustained winds are 65 knots (75 mph; 120 km/h), with gusts up to 80 knots (90 mph; 150 km/h). The minimum barometric pressure is , and the system is moving north-northeast at about 9 knots (10 mph; 17 km/h). Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (24 km) and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (140 km) from the center of Orlene.

For the latest official information, see:

• The NHC's latest public advisory on Hurricane Orlene
• The NHC's latest forecast advisory on Hurricane Orlene
• The NHC's latest forecast discussion on Hurricane Orlene

Watches and warnings

Hurricane Warning Hurricane conditions expected within 36 hours.	Mexico San Blas to Mazatlán
Tropical Storm Warning Tropical storm conditions expected within 36 hours.	Mexico Punta Mita to San Blas Mazatlán to Bahia Tempehuaya

Tropical Storm Paine

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	October 3 – Present
Peak intensity	40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min)  1006 mbar (hPa)

Storm names

See also: Tropical cyclone naming § Eastern Pacific Ocean

The following names will be used for named storms that form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean during 2022. Retired names, if any, will be announced by the World Meteorological Organization during the joint 45th Sessions of the RA IV Hurricane Committee in the spring of 2023. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2028 season. This is the same list used in the 2016 season.

Agatha Blas Celia Darby Estelle Frank Georgette Howard

Ivette Javier Kay Lester Madeline Newton Orlene (active) Paine (active)

Roslyn (unused) Seymour (unused) Tina (unused) Virgil (unused) Winifred (unused) Xavier (unused) Yolanda (unused) Zeke (unused)

Additionally, Bonnie entered the northeastern Pacific basin from the Atlantic basin after crossing Central America as a tropical cyclone. As the system crossed between basins intact, it retained its Atlantic-list name.

For storms that form in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of responsibility, encompassing the area between 140 degrees west and the International Date Line, four rotating lists of Hawaiian names are used one after the other without regard to year. The next four names that are scheduled for use in 2022 are shown below.

Hone (unused)

Iona (unused)

Keli (unused)

Lala (unused)

Season effects

This is a table of all the storms and that have formed in the 2022 Pacific hurricane season. It includes their duration, names, landfall(s), denoted in parentheses, damages, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a tropical wave, or a low, and all the damage figures are in 2022 USD.

Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale
TD	TS	C1	C2	C3	C4	C5

2022 Pacific hurricane season statistics

Storm name	Dates active	Storm category at peak intensity	Max 1-min wind mph (km/h)	Min. press. (mbar)	Areas affected	Damage (millions USD)	Deaths
Agatha	May 28–31	Category 2 hurricane	110 (175)	964	Southern Mexico	Unknown	9
Blas	June 14–20	Category 1 hurricane	90 (150)	976	Southwestern Mexico, Revillagigedo Islands	Minimal	4
Celia	June 16–28	Tropical storm	65 (100)	993	El Salvador, Guatemala, Southern Mexico, Revillagigedo Islands	Unknown	1
Bonnie	July 2–9	Category 3 hurricane	115 (185)	964	Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Southwestern Mexico, Revillagigedo Islands (after crossover)	Unknown	1
Darby	July 9–17	Category 4 hurricane	140 (220)	954	Hawaii	None	None
Estelle	July 15–21	Category 1 hurricane	85 (140)	984	Southwestern Mexico, Revillagigedo Islands	Minimal	None
Frank	July 26–August 2	Category 1 hurricane	90 (150)	975	None	None	None
Georgette	July 27–August 3	Tropical storm	60 (95)	997	None	None	None
Howard	August 6–11	Category 1 hurricane	85 (140)	983	Revillagigedo Islands, Baja California Peninsula	Unknown	None
Ivette	August 13–16	Tropical storm	40 (65)	1005	Revillagigedo Islands	None	None
Javier	September 1–4	Tropical storm	50 (85)	999	Revillagigedo Islands, Baja California Sur	Unknown	None
Kay	September 4–10	Category 2 hurricane	105 (165)	967	Southwestern Mexico, Revillagigedo Islands, Baja California peninsula, Southern California, Arizona	Unknown	3
Lester	September 15–17	Tropical storm	45 (75)	1002	Southwestern Mexico	Unknown	1
Madeline	September 17–20	Tropical storm	65 (100)	992	Southwestern Mexico	Unknown	3
Newton	September 21–25	Tropical storm	65 (100)	996	Southwestern Mexico, Revillagigedo Islands	Unknown	None
Orlene	September 29–Present	Category 4 hurricane	130 (215)	949	Western Mexico, Islas Marias	None	None
Paine	October 3–Present	Tropical storm	40 (65)	1006	None	None	None
Season Aggregates
16 cyclones	May 28 – Season ongoing		140 (220)	949		Minimal	24

See also

• Weather of 2022
• Tropical cyclones in 2022
• Pacific hurricane
• List of Pacific hurricane records
• 2022 Atlantic hurricane season
• 2022 Pacific typhoon season
• 2022 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
• South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2021–22, 2022–23
• Australian region cyclone seasons: 2021–22, 2022–23
• South Pacific cyclone seasons: 2021–22, 2022–23

External links

• National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center (website)
• Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (website, in Spanish)
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center (website)