The 2012 Pacific hurricane season was an above-average year in which seventeen named storms formed.[nb 1] The hurricane season officially began on May15 in the east Pacific—defined as the region east of 140°W—and on June1 in the central Pacific—defined as the region west of 140°W to the International Date Line—and ended on November30 in both regions. These dates conventionally delimit the period during each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.[2] This year, the first storm of the season, Tropical Storm Aletta, formed on May14, and the last, Tropical Storm Rosa, dissipated on November3.
Quick Facts Timeline of the 2012 Pacific hurricane season, Season boundaries ...
The season produced seventeen tropical storms; ten became hurricanes, and five further intensified into major hurricanes.[nb 2] Impact during the season was relatively minimal. In late May, Hurricane Bud paralleled the western Mexico coastline before dissipating, causing minor damage and but no reported fatalities.[4] In mid-June, Hurricane Carlottacame ashore in Oaxaca at Category2 hurricane intensity, making it the easternmost tropical cyclone in the basin to make landfall at hurricane intensity since 1966. The storm killed seven and caused $12.4million (2012USD) in damage.[5]
This timeline includes information that was not released in real time, meaning that data from post-storm reviews by the National Hurricane Center, such as a storm that was not operationally warned upon, has been included. This timeline documents tropical cyclone formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, and dissipations during the season.
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT May15)– Tropical Storm Aletta attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50mph (80km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1000mb (hPa; 29.53inHg).[6]
May17
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT May16)– Tropical Storm Aletta weakens to a tropical depression roughly 825mi (1,328km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[6]
May19
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT May18)– Tropical Depression Aletta degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure.[6]
May20
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Two-E develops from an area of low pressure about 520mi (840km) south of Acapulco, Mexico.[4]
May22
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT May21)– Tropical Depression Two-E intensifies into Tropical Storm Bud roughly 495mi (797km) south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.[4]
May24
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT May23)– Tropical Storm Bud intensifies into a Category1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, becoming the first of the 2012 season.[4]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Bud intensifies into a Category2 hurricane.[4]
May25
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT May24)– Hurricane Bud intensifies into a Category3 hurricane, the first major hurricane of the 2012 season, and simultaneously attains its peak intensity with winds of 115mph (185km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 961mb (hPa; 28.38inHg).[4]
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT May24)– Hurricane Bud weakens to a Category2 hurricane.[4]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Bud weakens to a Category1 hurricane about 80mi (130km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[4]
May26
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT May25)– Hurricane Bud weakens to a tropical storm.[4]
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT May25)– Tropical Storm Bud degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure near the southwestern coast of Mexico.[4]
June
June14
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT June13)– Tropical Depression Three-E develops from an area of low pressure roughly 530mi (850km) south-southeast of Huatulco, Mexico.[7]
2100UTC (2:00p.m. PDT)– Hurricane Carlotta attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 110mph (180km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 973mb (hPa; 28.71inHg).[7]
June16
0100UTC (6:00p.m. PDT June15)– Hurricane Carlotta makes landfall near Puerto Escondido, Mexico, with winds of 105mph (169km/h).[7]
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT June15)– Hurricane Carlotta weakens to a Category1 hurricane.[7]
0900UTC (2:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Carlotta weakens to a tropical storm.[7]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm Carlotta weakens to a tropical depression roughly 60mi (97km) north-northeast of Acapulco, Mexico.[7]
June17
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT June16)– Tropical Depression Carlotta degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure about 100mi (160km) northeast of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.[7]
July
July4
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT July3)– Tropical Depression Four-E develops from an area of low pressure about 490mi (790km) south of Manzanillo, Mexico.[8]
July5
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT July4)– Tropical Depression Four-E intensifies into Tropical Storm Daniel roughly 475mi (764km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[8]
July7
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT July6)Tropical Storm Daniel intensifies into a Category1 hurricane about 720mi (1,160km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[8]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Five-E develops from an area of low pressure roughly 495mi (797km) south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.[9]
July8
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT July7)– Hurricane Daniel intensifies into a Category2 hurricane.[8]
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT July7)– Tropical Depression Five-E intensifies into Tropical Storm Emilia about 490mi (790km) south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.[9]
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT July7)– Hurricane Daniel intensifies into a Category3 hurricane and simultaneously attains its peak intensity with winds of 115mph (185km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 961mb (hPa; 28.38inHg).[8]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Daniel weakens to a Category2 hurricane roughly 1,015mi (1,633km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[8]
July9
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT July8)– Hurricane Daniel weakens to a Category1 hurricane.[8]
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT July8)– Tropical Storm Emilia intensifies into a Category1 hurricane about 680mi (1,090km) southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.[9]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Emilia rapidly intensifies into a Category2 hurricane.[9]
July10
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT July9)– Hurricane Emilia rapidly intensifies into a Category3 hurricane.[9]
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT July9)– Hurricane Daniel weakens to a tropical storm about 1,465mi (2,358km) southeast of the Hawaiian Islands.[8]
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT July9)– Hurricane Emilia intensifies into a Category4 hurricane and simultaneously attains its peak intensity with winds of 135mph (217km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 945mb (hPa; 27.91inHg).[9]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Emilia weakens to a Category3 hurricane.[9]
July11
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT July10)– Hurricane Emilia weakens to a Category2 hurricane roughly 685mi (1,102km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[9]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm Daniel weakens to a tropical depression.[8]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Emilia re-intensifies into a Category3 hurricane.[9]
July12
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT July11)– Tropical Depression Six-E develops from an area of low pressure about 405mi (652km) south of Mazanillo, Mexico.[10]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Daniel degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure roughly 665mi (1,070km) southeast of the Hawaiian Islands.[8]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Emilia weakens to a Category2 hurricane for a second time.[9]
July13
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT July12)– Hurricane Emilia weakens to a Category1 hurricane about 1,000mi (1,600km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[9]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Emilia weakens to a tropical storm.[9]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm Fabio intensifies into a Category1 hurricane roughly 515mi (829km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[10]
July14
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Fabio intensifies into a Category2 hurricane.[10]
July15
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT July14)– Hurricane Fabio attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 110mph (180km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 966mb (hPa; 28.53inHg).[10]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm Emilia degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure roughly 1,110mi (1,790km) southeast of the Hawaiian Islands.[9]
July16
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT July15)– Hurricane Fabio weakens to a Category1 hurricane.[10]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Fabio weakens to a tropical storm about 700mi (1,100km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[10]
July18
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT July17)– Tropical Storm Fabio weakens to a tropical depression.[10]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Fabio degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure roughly 400mi (640km) west-southwest of Punta Eugenia, Mexico.[10]
August
August7
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT August6)– Tropical Depression Seven-E develops from an area of low pressure about 600mi (970km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[11]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Seven-E intensifies into Tropical Storm Gilma roughly 565mi (909km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[11]
August8
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm Gilma intensifies into a Category1 hurricane.[11]
August9
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT August8)– Hurricane Gilma attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 80mph (130km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 984mb (hPa; 29.06inHg).[11]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Gilma weakens to a tropical storm about 700mi (1,100km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[11]
August11
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm Gilma degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure roughly 680mi (1,090km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[11]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Eight-E develops from an area of low pressure about 125mi (201km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[12]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Eight-E intensifies into Tropical Storm Hector roughly 180mi (290km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[12]
August12
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm Hector attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50mph (80km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 995mb (hPa; 29.39inHg).[12]
August15
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm Hector weakens to a tropical depression about 495mi (797km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[12]
August17
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT August16)– Tropical Depression Hector degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure roughly 440mi (710km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[12]
August27
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Nine-E develops from an area of low pressure about 375mi (604km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[13]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Nine-E intensifies into Tropical Storm Ileana roughly 315mi (507km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[13]
August30
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT August29)– Tropical Storm Ileana intensifies into a Category1 hurricane about 340mi (550km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[13]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Ileana attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 85mph (140km) and a minimum barometric pressure of 978mb (hPa; 28.88inHg).[13]
August31
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Ileana weakens to a tropical storm roughly 375mi (604km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[13]
September
September2
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT September1)– Tropical Storm Ileana weakens to a tropical depression about 660mi (1,060km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.[13]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Ileana degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure roughly 1,380mi (2,220km) east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands.[13]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm John develops from an area of low pressure about 230mi (370km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[14]
September3
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT September2)– Tropical Storm John attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 45mph (72km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1000mb (hPa; 29.53inHg).[14]
September4
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT September3)– Tropical Storm John weakens to a tropical depression.[14]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression John degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure roughly 395mi (636km) west-northwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[14]
September12
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT September11)– Tropical Depression Eleven-E develops from an area of low pressure about 175mi (282km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[15]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Eleven-E intensifies into Tropical Storm Kristy roughly 150mi (240km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[15]
September14
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT September13)– Tropical Storm Kristy attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60mph (97km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 998mb (hPa; 29.47inHg).[15]
September15
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Twelve-E develops from an area of low pressure about 1,080mi (1,740km) southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.[16]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm Kristy weakens to a tropical depression about 540mi (870km) west-northwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.[15]
September17
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT September16)– Tropical Depression Kristy degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure roughly 625mi (1,006km) west-northwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.[15]
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT September16)– Tropical Storm Lane intensifies into a Category1 hurricane about 1,170mi (1,880km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[16]
September18
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT September17)– Hurricane Lane attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 85mph (137km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 985mb (hPa; 28.29inHg).[16]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Lane weakens to a tropical storm.[16]
September19
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT September18)– Tropical Storm Lane degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure roughly 1,330mi (2,140km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[16]
September22
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT September21)– Tropical Depression Thirteen-E develops from an area of low pressure about 415mi (668km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[17]
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT September23)– Tropical Storm Miriam intensifies into a Category1 hurricane roughly 465mi (748km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[17]
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT September23)– Hurricane Miriam rapidly intensifies into a Category2 hurricane.[17]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Miriam rapidly intensifies into a Category3 hurricane and simultaneously attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 120mph (190km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 959mb (hPa; 28.32inHg).[17]
September25
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT September24)– Hurricane Miriam weakens to a Category2 hurricane.[17]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Miriam weakens to a Category1 hurricane about 685mi (1,102km) west of Manzanillo, Mexico.[17]
September26
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT September25)– Hurricane Miriam weakens to a tropical storm.[17]
September27
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm Miriam degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure roughly 435mi (700km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[17]
September28
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT September27)– Tropical Storm Norman develops from an area of low pressure about 115mi (185km) southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and simultaneously attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50mph (80km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 997mb (hPa; 29.44inHg).[18]
September29
0500UTC (10:00p.m. PDT September27)– Tropical Storm Norman weakens to a tropical depression and simultaneously makes landfall near Topolobampo, Mexico, with winds of 35mph (56km/h).[18]
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Norman degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure about 80mi (130km) west-northwest of Los Mochis, Mexico.[18]
October
October6
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Fifteen-E develops from an area of low pressure roughly 860mi (1,380km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[19]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Fifteen-E intensifies into Tropical Storm Olivia about 880mi (1,420km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[19]
October7
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm Olivia attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60mph (97km/h) a minimum barometric pressure of 997mb (hPa; 29.44inHg).[19]
October9
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT October8)– Tropical Storm Olivia degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure roughly 885mi (1,424km).[19]
October13
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Depression Sixteen-E develops from an area of low pressure about 645mi (1,038km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.[20]
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT October14)– Tropical Storm Paul intensifies into a Category1 hurricane roughly 595mi (958km) southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.[20]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Paul rapidly intensifies into a Category3 hurricane and simultaneously attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 120mph (190km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 959mb (hPa; 28.32inHg).[20]
October16
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Paul weakens to a Category2 hurricane.[20]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT)– Hurricane Paul weakens to a Category1 hurricane about 40mi (64km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico.[20]
October17
0000UTC (5:00p.m. PDT October16)– Hurricane Paul weakens to a tropical storm.[20]
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT October16)– Tropical Storm Paul degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure roughly 30mi (48km) northwest of Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico.[20]
October30
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT October29)– Tropical Depression Seventeen-E develops from an area of low pressure about 700mi (1,100km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[21]
0600UTC (11:00p.m. PDT October30)– Tropical Storm Rosa attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50mph (80km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1001mb (hPa; 29.56inHg).[21]
November
November3
1200UTC (5:00a.m. PDT)– Tropical Storm Rosa weakens to a tropical depression roughly 970mi (1,560km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.[21]
1800UTC (11:00a.m. PDT) – Tropical Depression Rosa degenerates into a non-convective remnant area of low pressure about 990mi (1,590km) southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.[21]
November30
The 2012 Pacific hurricane season officially ends.[2]
Eric S. Blake (October 9, 2012). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Bud(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 2, 4. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
Richard J. Pasch; David A. Zelinsky (December 20, 2012). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Carlotta(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 2, 4. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
John P. Cangialosi (October 14, 2012). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Emilia(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 2, 4, 5. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
John L. Beven II (December 18, 2012). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Fabio(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 2, 4, 5. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
Jessica Schauer; Robbie J. Berg (October 23, 2012). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Gilma(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 4. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
Todd B. Kimberlain (November 9, 2012). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Hector(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 2, 4, 5. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
Stacy R. Stewart; Monica L. Bozeman (January 15, 2013). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ileana(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 2, 4. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
Daniel P. Brown (November 13, 2012). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm John(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 2, 4. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
John P. Cangialosi; Eric S. Blake; Nelsie Ramos (January 9, 2013). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Kristy(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 4. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
Richard J. Pasch; David A. Zelinsky (January 28, 2013). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Lane(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 2, 4. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
Lixion A. Avila (January 28, 2013). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Miriam(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 3. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
John P. Cangialosi (December 11, 2013). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Norman(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 3. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
John L. Beven II (December 18, 2012). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Olivia(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 4. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
Robbie J. Berg (January 4, 2013). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Paul(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 2, 5. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
Todd B. Kimberlain (December 3, 2012). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Rosa(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp.1, 2, 4. Retrieved November 26, 2013.