ABPA30 PHNL 012100 MONTHLY TROPICAL WEATHER SUMMARY CENTRAL NORTH PACIFIC BETWEEN 14OW AND 180 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HONOLULU HI 1100 AM HST MON DEC 01 1997

...NO TROPICAL CYCLONES WERE OBSERVED IN THE CENTRAL PACIFIC DURING NOVEMBER 1997 ....

...SUMMARY OF 1997 TROPICAL CYCLONES ...

The El Niño phenomena apparently influenced tropical cyclone activity in the central Pacific. Eight tropical cyclones were observed ... Nearly twice the 36 year average of 4.5 and substantially more than the 1995 season (1 tropical storm) and the 1996 season (two tropical depressions). The eight tropical cyclones in 1997 ties the record for the fourth highest since 1961. That was the first year that satellites were used to observe tropical cyclones. The other years with eight were 1985 ... 1967 ... and 1962. The three most active years were 1994 (11) ... 1992 (11) ... and 1982 (10). One unusual factor was that of the eight tropical cyclones ... none reached hurricane strength while in the central Pacific. There was one hurricane in 1962 and 1967 and four in 1985. This makes the third consecutive year without a hurricane in the central Pacific. The last time this occurred was in 1963-65. The main reason for the weaker systems was the persistence of strong upper level west or southwest winds. These winds would shear the storms and they would rapidly weaken.

The genesis area appeared to be affected by the El Niño conditions as four tropical cyclones originated in the central Pacific. Work documented by the Pacific ENSO Applications Center has shown that more tropical cyclones form in the central Pacific during El Niño years.

Of the eight tropical cyclones ... two were notable. Tropical Depression TWO-C became Tropical Storm OLIWA on September 3. It crossed into the western Pacific subsequently became a typhoon and super typhoon with winds greater than 160 mph. OLIWA passed south of Wake Island on September 6 ... producing heavy showers but no damage. It then moved across the southern Japanese islands on September 16 and 17. The second storm of note was Tropical Storm GUILLERMO. It moved into the central Pacific from the east on August 9. Initially... it was downgraded to a tropical depression on August 10 ... But then re-intensified and became a tropical storm on August 11. The storm strengthened to 65 mph when it was near 33N 154W. The system became extratropical on August 15 near 41N 160W. The extratropical low dissipated within 350 miles of the northern California coast.

 
... 1997 CENTRAL PACIFIC TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARY...

TROPICAL CYCLONE    DATES    MAX WIND    TROPICAL CYCLONE    DATES    MAX WIND
                              (MPH)						                              (MPH)
TD DOLORES        JUL 11-12     35       TD JIMENA         AUG 29        35
TS FELICIA        JUL 21-22     60       TS OLIWA          SEP 2-3       50
TD ONE-C          JUL 26-27     30       TD THREE-C        OCT 6-7       30
TS GUILLERMO      AUG 9-15      65       TD FOUR-C         OCT 30-31     35

Tropical Depression DOLORES moved into the central Pacific from the eastern Pacific on July 11 near 18N 140W. It weakened as it moved west northwest and dissipated on July 12.

Tropical Storm FELICIA moved into the central Pacific from the eastern Pacific on July 21 near 18N 140W. It weakened as it moved toward the west northwest and dissipated on July 22.

Tropical Depression ONE-C formed south southwest of Hawaii on July 26 near 1ongitude 169W. It moved west and did not reach tropical storm strength. The depression dissipated on July 27.

Tropical Depression JIMENA moved into the central Pacific from the east on August 29 near 21N 140W. It moved west and dissipated later that day.

Tropical Depression THREE-C formed southeast of Hawaii on October 6 near 15N 146W. It moved west and did not reach tropical storm strength. The system dissipated on October 7.

Tropical Depression FOUR-C formed southwest of Hawaii on October 30 near 12N 168W. It initially moved west northwest and then west southwest. The depression did not reach tropical storm strength and dissipated on October 31.

Weyman/Hablutzel/Heffner/Craig/Farrell/Larson/Matsuda/Rosendal/Hoag/Jendrowski

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