The Record-Setting 2018 Eastern North Pacific Hurricane Season

The extremely active 2018 eastern North Pacific (ENP) hurricane season set records for number of hurricane days, major hurricane days, and accumulated cyclone energy (ACE). The Western Development Region (116 degrees W-180 degrees) was especially active, shattering its prior record for ACE set in 2015. In addition, Hawaii was impacted by Hurricane Lane in August and Tropical Storm Olivia in September. Despite above-normal sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and below-normal vertical wind shear in 2018, large-scale conditions were generally less conducive for tropical cyclone (TC) formation than in 2015. However, the strong subtropical ridge in August and September of 2018 enhanced westward steering flow, thereby keeping TCs over hurricane-favorable conditions and preventing recurvature toward lower SSTs and higher vertical wind shear. The 2018 ENP hurricane season highlights that El Nino conditions are not necessary for extremely high ENP TC activity. Plain Language Summary The 2018 eastern North Pacific hurricane season broke records, particularly when considering an index that accounts for frequency, intensity, and duration of hurricanes. The previous record was set in 2015 during a strong El Nino event that increased ocean warmth and thus provided more fuel for hurricanes. Even though a weak El Nino did not develop until late in the 2018 hurricane season, the ocean was warmer than normal in the region where the hurricanes formed, which helped support their development. After the hurricanes formed, the flow of the atmosphere generally kept them over warmer water, helping them last longer. We need to study more seasons like 2018 to better understand when eastern North Pacific hurricane seasons will be active without the presence of a strong El Nino.