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Hurricane Ignacio Recap

Ignacio was a tropical system that formed in the eastern Pacific and moved into the central Pacific basin. At one point, Ignacio strengthened to a powerful Category 4 hurricane.

Tropical Depression Thirteen-E formed on Aug. 24, 2015, well to the west of Mexico, in the open eastern Pacific. The system continued to strengthen, getting the name Ignacio, and reached hurricane status on Aug. 26. While moving through a favorable environment for intensification, Ignacio went on to become a major hurricane for a time. At one point, Ignacio was one of three Category 4 hurricanes in the Pacific, joined by Kilo and Jimena.

Ignacio passed by Hawaii to the northeast and finally north, before it weakened to a remnant low on Sep. 4. While not directly impacting Hawaii, Ignacio produced swells that did affect some of the islands.

(MORE: Hurricane Central | Tropical Update)

High Surf Impacts Hawaii

Ignacio loomed east-southeast of the Big Island as a major hurricane for a time, but the system gradually weakened as it moved closer to Hawaii. As Hurricane Ignacio passed by to the northeast of the state, it brought dangerous surf conditions to east-facing shores of the islands, particularly the Big Island and Maui. The Star Advertiser of Honolulu reported sand and debris washing up onto some roads, which prompted beach closures.

Several tropical systems threatened Hawaii during the 2015 Pacific hurricane season, but most of them changed course and/or weakened before directly impacting the islands. Ignacio was no different, as while it came close to the islands, the center of circulation remained several hundred miles away, even at its closest pass.

Climatologically speaking, virtually all hurricanes near the Hawaiian Islands since 1950 have approached from the southeast, south or southwest. Those approaching from the east tend to either weaken quickly or shift north of the islands. Iselle in 2014 was one notable exception, however.

(MORE: Hawaii's Hurricane History)

A Rare Spot for a Tropical Storm

Most tropical systems quickly weaken while passing north of Hawaii, thanks in large part to relatively cool sea-surface temperatures. Ignacio took advantage of an unusually warm central Pacific ocean, within a strengthening El Niño pattern.

Ignacio went on to become a hurricane on two separate occasions while north of Hawaii, before the system finally transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone. Ignacio made it as far north as 35.5 degrees North latitude. Of systems to develop in the central or eastern Pacific, only four have reached 40 degrees North as a tropical storm or hurricane, dating back to 1949. Some systems originating in the western Pacific have accomplished that feat, but as weakening typhoons moving toward the east.