![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/1996_Pacific_hurricane_season_map.png/640px-1996_Pacific_hurricane_season_map.png&w=640&q=50)
1996 Pacific hurricane season
Period of formation of tropical cyclones in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in 1996 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 1996 Pacific hurricane season was an event in tropical cyclone formation and the second least active Pacific hurricane season in recorded history, behind only 1977. It officially began May 15, 1996 in the eastern north Pacific and on June 1, 1996 in the central north Pacific. It ended on November 30, 1996. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
![]() | |
Season summary map | |
First storm formed | May 13, 1996 |
---|---|
Last storm dissipated | November 11, 1996 |
Strongest storm | Douglas – 946 mbar (hPa) (27.95 inHg), 130 mph (215 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
Total depressions | 14 |
Total storms | 9 |
Hurricanes | 5 |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 2 |
Total fatalities | 27-49 |
Total damage | Unknown |
Pacific hurricane seasons 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
Few notable storms formed this season, however it was very eventful. Twelve tropical cyclones formed during this season, of which five made landfall and two other impacted land areas. Two tropical cyclones that formed in other basins entered the eastern north Pacific Ocean. Early in the season three tropical cyclones impacted Mexico in a ten-day span, while the first cyclone of the season formed before it officially began. Hurricane Douglas was the strongest storm, reaching Category 4 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale and had its beginnings in the Atlantic as Hurricane Douglas.