hurricane howard hurricane howard powerful category hurricane produced large swells coasts baja california peninsula southern california eighth named storm pacific hurricane season howard originated tropical wave coast mexico august traveling northwest storm gradually strengthened hurricane september reaching peak intensity following day winds mph decreasing sea surface temperatures caused storm weaken september howard downgraded tropical storm day degenerated non convective remnant low pressure area persisted days dissipating open waters storm landfall fringe effects storm produced significant flooding baja california peninsula damaged agricultural land dozens homes howard produced large swells reached baja coastline california coastline rescues took place california waves moisture storm enhanced rainfall parts arizona leading minor meteorological history began tropical wave moved west coast africa august wave moved atlantic_ocean caribbean_sea little associated convection august wave produced disorganized convection moved western caribbean central_america entered eastern pacific_ocean paralleling southern coast mexico wave increasingly organized estimated tropical wave spawned tropical depression utc august south southwest acapulco mexico classified tropical depression system tracked west northwestward steering currents weak mid level ridge hours formation depression lacked concentration deep convection near center conditions favored eventual development including warm sea surface temperatures low amounts wind shear based increased organization formation banding features estimated cyclone intensified tropical storm howard utc august mid level anticyclone located southern california steering storm northwest early september national_hurricane_center nhc stated howard percent chance undergoing rapid intensification based development storm highly favorable environment cyclone based formation eye feature nhc upgraded howard hurricane early september storm located southwest later day eye howard apparent satellite imagery organized eye surrounded ring deep convection utc september howard upgraded major hurricane storm winds mph higher shortly cyclone reached peak intensity low end category hurricane saffir simpson hurricane scale winds mph located south southwest southern tip baja california sur long reaching peak intensity storm moved cooler waters causing eyewall deteriorate cloud tops warm day eye howard disappeared satellite imagery leading cyclone downgraded category hurricane continued deterioration system caused rapid weakening howard downgraded tropical storm utc september convection associated storm separated center later day early september howard downgraded tropical depression later degenerated non convective remnant low pressure area west southwest mexico remnants hurricane continued northwest turning southwest following day tracked southeast ridge high pressure low continued general direction dissipated september west cabo mexico howard remained away land tropical cyclone warnings watches issued ship reported sustained winds mph utc september baja california peninsula swells reported ships required remain port rough seas heavy rains mountainous pacific coastal areas baja california produced flooding washed roads rains help increase water levels baja california estimated hectares agricultural land damaged storm households damaged communities state federal authorities purchased temporary homes needed shelter affected areas mexico provided rehabilitation total homes affected howard large swells produced storm resulted rescues california high temperatures southern california exceeding places cool ocean temperatures led estimated people going beaches labor day weekend incident required rescues dozens people overwhelmed waves officials advised residents precautions possibility flooding result moisture remnants howard following foothills highly susceptible flooding residents advised ready ensure emergency supplies stocked evacuation plan despite preparations undertaken howard produced rainfall california moisture enhanced rainfall portions arizona led minor rainfall state
Hurricane Howard (2004)