1982 Pacific hurricane season | |
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![]() Season summary map | |
Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | May 20, 1982 |
Last system dissipated | November 25, 1982 |
Strongest storm | |
Name | Olivia |
• Maximum winds | 145 mph (230 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total depressions | 30 |
Total storms | 23 |
Hurricanes | 12 |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 5 |
Total fatalities | 1,629 total |
Total damage | $834 million (1982 USD) |
Related articles | |
The 1982 Pacific hurricane season was, at the time, the most active Pacific hurricane season on record, with 23 named storms. Of those, 12 became hurricanes, with 5 intensifying into major hurricanes (Category 3 or above on the Saffir–Simpson scale). The season officially started on May 15 in the eastern Pacific basin and June 1 in the central Pacific basin. The season in both basins ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period during which most tropical cyclones form in these regions of the Pacific Ocean.[1] The first tropical cyclone of the season, Tropical Storm Aletta, formed on May 20, and the final one of the season, Hurricane Iwa, dissipated on November 25. A strengthening El Niño that year fueled the season's above normal activity.
The strongest system of the season was Hurricane Olivia, which reached peak intensity on September 21, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h). Its remnants brought heavy rain to a wide swath of the Western United States. Hurricane Paul, the deadliest system, developed as a tropical depression just offshore Central America on September 18, briefly moved inland two days later, then turned, and headed westward out to sea. Paul was responsible for 1,625 fatalities, most of them in El Salvador, and $520 million (1982 USD) in damage. Hurricanes Daniel and Gilma both briefly threatened Hawaii, while Iwa caused heavy damage on Kauai and Niihau.