During 1993, tropical cyclones formed within seven different bodies of water called basins. To date, 110 tropical cyclones formed, of which 78 were given names by various weather agencies. Only one Category 5 tropical cyclone, Typhoon Ed, formed in 1993. The accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index for the 1993 (seven basins combined), as calculated by Colorado State University was 710.4 units.

Global atmospheric and hydrological conditions

A weak El Niño prevailed until the end of the year, leading to inactivity in the North Atlantic and the North Indian Ocean and an average activity in the West Pacific and the Southern Hemisphere (excluding the Australian region basin).[1]

Summary

North Atlantic Ocean

An average Atlantic hurricane season features 12 tropical storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes, and features an Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) count of 106. In the year, the statistics fell below, featuring only 8 tropical storms, 4 hurricanes and a major hurricane- making it a below-average season. It had an ACE total of 39.

The first tropical cyclone, Tropical Depression One, developed on May 31, while the final storm, Tropical Depression Ten, dissipated on September 30, well before the average dissipation date of a season's last tropical cyclone; this represented the earliest end to the hurricane season in ten years. The most intense hurricane, Emily, was a Category 3 on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale that paralleled close to the North Carolina coastline causing minor damage and a few deaths before moving out to sea.

The most significant named storm of the season was Hurricane Gert, a tropical cyclone that devastated several countries in Central America and Mexico. Throughout the impact areas, damage totaled to $170 million (1993 USD)["nb" 1] and 102 fatalities were reported. The remnants of Gert reached the Pacific Ocean and was classified as Tropical Depression Fourteen-E. Another significant system was Tropical Storm Bret, which resulted in 184 deaths and $25 million in losses as it tracked generally westward across Trinidad, Venezuela, Colombia, and Nicaragua. In the Pacific Ocean, the remnants of Bret were attributed to the development of Hurricane Greg. Three other tropical cyclones brought minor to moderate effects on land; they were Tropical Depression One and Tropical Storms Arlene and Cindy. The storms of the 1993 Atlantic hurricane season collectively caused 339 fatalities and $319 million in losses.

Eastern and Central Pacific Ocean

An average Pacific hurricane season features 15 tropical storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes, and features an Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) count of 132. In the year, the statistics fell above, featuring 15 tropical storms, 11 hurricanes, and 9 major hurricanes- making it a slightly above-average season. It had an ACE total of 201.8 units.

The first tropical cyclone developed on June 11, over a month after the traditional start of the season. The final named storm of the season, Tropical Storm Norma, dissipated on October 14. The Central Pacific Ocean saw very little tropical activity, with only one cyclone, Hurricane Keoni, developing in that particular region. However, many storms out of the season crossed the threshold into the Central Pacific, many as hurricanes, and even major hurricanes.

The season produced fifteen named storms, which was slightly below the average of sixteen named storms per season. However, the total of eleven hurricanes during the season was slightly above average, and the total of nine major hurricanes was significantly higher than the average of three. The most intense cyclone of the season was Hurricane Lidia, a powerful Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in Sinaloa as a Category 2. Killing seven people, Lidia also caused extensive property damage in Mexico and the United States, as the remnants of the system combined with a cold front to produce Severe weather in Texas. However, the most notable storm of the season, in terms of fatalities, was Hurricane Calvin. Originating from an area of disturbed weather on July 4, it reached a peak intensity of 110 mph (180 km/h) before making an initial landfall near Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. Rapidly weakening due to land interaction with the Mexican coastline, the hurricane re-emerged into Pacific waters, though the storm did not strengthen, and continued to weaken as it moved northwestward. On July 8, Calvin made a second, and final, landfall on the southern tip of Baja California Peninsula before weakening to a tropical depression and dissipating on July 9. At least 34 deaths can be attributed to the system, as well as $32 million (1993 USD) or more in damage.

Western Pacific Ocean

The average typhoon season lasts year-round, with the majority of the storms forming between May and October. An average Pacific typhoon season features 26 tropical storms, 16 typhoons, and 9 super typhoons (unofficial category). It also features an average Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) count of approximately 294; the basin is typically the most active basin for tropical cyclone formation. The season was average when it comes to the number of tropical storms (28); however, the number of typhoons and the super typhoons were below-average, spawning 15 and 3, respectively.

Typhoon Koryn was the strongest tropical cyclone of the season, becoming a super typhoon and peaking with a pressure of 905 hPa. It caused 37 direct deaths and damages amounting to $224 million as it devastated the Philippines and the South China. Irma caused 10 fatalities as it affected the Marshall and the Caroline Islands. Robyn caused $68 million worth of damages as it affected Japan and the nearby South Korea. Yancy also affected the country, causing over 48 deaths and damages over $1 billion. Lola and Manny of December, altogether caused 538 deaths as it affected the Philippines. Nell closed the season, dissipating on January 1, 1994.

North Indian Ocean

The season was the quietest on record in the basin, with only four tropical disturbances forming.

There were no storms before June, and during that month, a deep depression formed off the east coast of India. It brought flooding rains as it moved through Bangladesh and dissipated over northeastern India. The depression struck in the midst of ongoing floods, which were responsible for 200 deaths in the country in June 1993. The next depression – the only to originate over the Arabian Sea in the season – formed on November 8 and moved toward southern India. The system killed 35 people before weakening and turning to the northwest. It re-intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, but weakened just off the coast of Pakistan due to wind shear. The storm killed 609 people in the country due to flooding. The final two depressions had their origins from the western Pacific basin. In late November, a convective system crossed the Malay Peninsula and developed into an intense tropical cyclone, reaching estimated peak winds of 165 km/h (105 mph) on December 4. While at peak intensity, the cyclone moved ashore southern India near Karaikal, causing widespread damage estimated at US$216 million (1993 USD). The storm killed 70 people and displaced at least 68,000 people. The final depression was the reformation of Typhoon Manny. It dissipated near southern India on December 20, bringing heavy rainfall to the country.

South-West Indian Ocean

January–June

The 1992–93 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season lasted longer than normal, with the first storm, Aviona forming on September 27, 1992 and the final storm Konita not dissipating until May 7, 1993. It was an above-average season, with four tropical cyclones – the equivalent of a minimal hurricane – along with six tropical storms, one subtropical depression, and several depressions including one that was named.

At the time, the season officially went from November 15, 1991, to April 30, 1992,[2] although this season began in September with the formation of Tropical Storm Aviona in the northeastern portion of the basin. A month later, Tropical Storm Babie also formed in the northeastern portion of the basin before the season's official start. After several depressions formed in December and early January, Cyclone Colina formed and struck Réunion, which damaged houses and killed 2 people and left 12 missing there. Three storms were active at the same time in the middle of January, including Colina – Tropical Storm Dessilia moved across Madagascar with gusty winds, and Cyclone Edwina was the longest-lasting and strongest storm of the season. Edwina brushed the Mascarene Islands with gusty winds and light rainfall. In mid-February, Tropical Storm Finella brought locally heavy rainfall to Réunion, reaching 1,074 mm (42.3 in) along the island's east coast and causing minimal rainfall along the southern coast. The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) became active toward the end of February, spawning tropical storms Gracia and Ionia as well as Tropical Depression Hutelle. Ionia, the last of five system to cross Madagascar during the season, killed eight people in the country. The season ended with Cyclone Jourdanne, which was the second-strongest storm of the season in April, and Cyclone Konita in May.

July–December

Alexina formed as a tropical disturbance on November 9, starting the season. It then dissipated on November 14 without affecting any landmasses. Bettina also formed in the same month, without affecting land as it dissipated. A tropical disturbance and Cecilia formed on the month of December, with the latter ending the 1993 season.

Australian region

January–June

A below-average tropical cyclone season, the basin produced 6 storms. Nina persisted until January 1, shortly before exiting the region. The entire cyclones of the month didn't cause any deaths or damages, however, Adel left two fatalities and fifteen missing as it passed on the north coast of Papua New Guinea, a rare occurrence.

July–December

Naomi started the season when it formed on December 14. It affected Western Australia and the damages or deaths are unknown. Cyclone Rewa took an unusual and erratic track near the coast of Queensland, forming on December 26 in the South Pacific basin and dissipating on January 21 in the next year, on the Australian region. Oscar ended the 1993 season, dissipating on January 9 near the coast of the Western Australia.

South Pacific Ocean

January–June

July–December

Systems

January

In January 1993, seven cyclones formed within their respective basins. The strongest cyclone of the season was Cyclone Edwina, which affected the islands of Rodrigues, Mauritius, and Réunion; however, it caused no impacts throughout its life. Cyclone Colina and Tropical Storm Dessilia also existed during this time, with the former affecting the Mascarene Islands and Seychelles as a tropical cyclone, killing two.

In the Australian region, only Cyclone Lena formed during this month, affecting Western Australia. Towards the South Pacific basin, three cyclones existed during the month including two tropical depressions and Lin. Lin was a tropical cyclone that affected the Samoan Islands, Niue, Fiji, and Tonga, causing an unknown number of damages and deaths.

Tropical cyclones formed in January 1993
Storm nameDates activeMax wind
km/h (mph)
Pressure
(hPa)
Areas affectedDamage
(USD)
DeathsRefs
08PJanuary 1–385 (50)Not specifiedCook IslandsNoneNone
09PJanuary 11–14Not specifiedNot specifiedFrench PolynesiaNoneNone
ColinaJanuary 13–20135 (85)970Mascarene Islands, SeychellesUnknown2[3]
DessiliaJanuary 16–2495 (60)975Juan de Nova Island, Madagascar, RéunionUnknownUnknown
EdwinaJanuary 19–29170 (105)925Île AmsterdamNoneNone
LenaJanuary 22 – February 2100 (65)972Western AustraliaUnknownNone
LinJanuary 30 – February 5120 (75)970Samoan Islands, Fiji, Niue, TongaUnknownUnknown

February

Tropical cyclones formed in February 1993
Storm nameDates activeMax wind
km/h (mph)
Pressure
(hPa)
Areas affectedDamage
(USD)
DeathsRefs
OliverFebruary 3 – 14185 (115)950Papua New Guinea, Far North QueenslandUnknownUnknown
MickFebruary 3 – 985 (50)987Fiji, Samoan Islands, New Zealand, TongaMinimalUnknown
NishaFebruary 9 – 16110 (70)975Cook IslandsNoneNone
FinellaFebruary 12 – 1580 (50)984Mascarene IslandsNoneNone
OliFebruary 14 – 2075 (45)990Vanuatu, FijiUnknownUnknown
GraciaFebruary 20 – 2370 (45)990Mayotte, MadagascarUnknownNone
H1February 24 – 26Not specifiedNot specifiedNoneNone
HutelleFebruary 27 – March 2Not specifiedNot specifiedRéunion, MadagascarNoneNone
PollyFebruary 27 – March 9155 (100)945Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, New ZealandUnknownUnknown
01W (Atring)February 28 – March 155 (35)1010PhilippinesNoneNone

March

Tropical cyclones formed in March 1993
Storm nameDates activeMax wind
km/h (mph)
Pressure
(hPa)
Areas affectedDamage
(USD)
DeathsRefs
IoniaMarch 2–765 (40)993MadagascarMinimal8
IrmaMarch 7–1795 (60)985NoneNoneNone
RogerMarch 12–20110 (70)980NoneNoneNone
PremaMarch 24 – April 6185 (115)940Vanuatu, New Caledonia$5 million3

April

Tropical cyclones formed in April 1993
Storm nameDates activeMax wind
km/h (mph)
Pressure
(hPa)
Areas affectedDamage
(USD)
DeathsRefs
JourdanneApril 2–10165 (105)930NoneNoneNone
MontyApril 6–13110 (70)992NoneNoneNone
BiningApril 9–1355 (35)1002Caroline Islands, PhilippinesNoneNone
KuringApril 19–2655 (35)1008Caroline Islands, PhilippinesNoneNone

May

Tropical cyclones formed in May 1993
Storm nameDates activeMax wind
km/h (mph)
Pressure
(hPa)
Areas affectedDamage
(USD)
DeathsRefs
KonitaMay 2–7130 (80)955NoneNoneNone
DalingMay 2–445 (30)1006PhilippinesNoneNone
AdelMay 11–16120 (70)970Papua New GuineaMinimal3
JackMay 16–2265 (40)1008Caroline Islands, Mariana IslandsNoneNone
OneMay 31 – June 255 (35)999Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Florida, The BahamasUnknown20

June

Tropical cyclones formed in June 1993
Storm nameDates activeMax wind
km/h (mph)
Pressure
(hPa)
Areas affectedDamage
(USD)
DeathsRefs
AdrianJune 11–19130 (80)979NoneNoneNone
Koryn (Goring)June 16–29195 (120)905Caroline Islands, Philippines, China$224 million37
ElangJune 17–2055 (35)1008PhilippinesNoneNone
BOB 01June 17–1955 (35)988India, BangladeshHeavy200
ArleneJune 18–2165 (40)1000Central America, Mexico, Gulf Coast of the United States$60.8 million26
BeatrizJune 18–20100 (65)995Southwestern MexicoUnknown6
Three-EJune 27 – July 255 (35)1006Southwestern Mexico, Baja California SurMinimalNone

July

Tropical cyclones formed in July 1993
Storm nameDates activeMax wind
km/h (mph)
Pressure
(hPa)
Areas affectedDamage
(USD)
DeathsRefs
CalvinJuly 4–9175 (110)966Western Mexico, Baja California Sur$32 million37
Lewis (Huling)July 7–1395 (60)985Philippines, South China, VietnamUnknownUnknown
TDJuly 131002South ChinaNoneNone
Marian (Ibiang)July 14–1675 (45)1000NoneNoneNone
DoraJuly 14–21215 (130)945NoneNoneNone
EugeneJuly 15–25205 (125)948NoneNoneNone
TDJuly 17–221008NoneNoneNone
NathanJuly 19–25100 (65)980Mariana Islands, JapanUnknownUnknown
TDJuly 211008NoneNoneNone
Ofelia (Luming)July 24–2785 (50)990JapanUnknownUnknown
Percy (Miling)July 27–30100 (65)980Mariana Islands, JapanUnknownUnknown
NarsingJuly 30–3155 (35)1000NoneNoneNone
TDJuly 311002Philippines, TaiwanNoneNone

August

Tropical cyclones formed in August 1993
Storm nameDates activeMax wind
km/h (mph)
Pressure
(hPa)
Areas affectedDamage
(USD)
DeathsRefs
Robyn (Openg)August 1–11155 (100)940Caroline Islands, Mariana Islands, Japan, South Korea$68 million45
KeoniAugust 9 – September 1165 (105)940NoneNoneNone
FernandaAugust 9–19230 (145)934Hawaii$5 millionNone
BretAugust 4–1165 (40)1000Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, ABC islands, Venezuela, Colombia, Central America$37.5 million213
Steve (Pining)August 6–14100 (65)980Mariana Islands, Ryukyu IslandsNoneNone
15WAugust 13–1445 (30)1002Marshall IslandsNoneNone
Tasha (Rubing)August 15–22120 (75)970Philippines, ChinaNoneNone
CindyAugust 14–1775 (45)1007Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic$19 million4
GregAugust 15–28215 (130)948NoneNoneNone
HillaryAugust 17–27195 (120)957Baja California Sur, California, IowaNoneNone
VernonAugust 21–28140 (85)960JapanMinimal2
Winona (Saling)August 22–2975 (45)990Philippines, VietnamUnknownUnknown
IrwinAugust 21–22110 (70)999Southwestern MexicoNoneNone
EmilyAugust 22 – September 6185 (115)960East Coast of the United States, Bermuda$35 million3
TDAugust 23–251002Mariana IslandsNoneNone
DennisAugust 23–2885 (50)1000NoneNoneNone
Yancy (Tasing)August 29 – September 4175 (110)925Japan$1.67 billion48
JovaAugust 29 – September 5215 (130)948Southwestern MexicoNoneNone

September

Tropical cyclones formed in February 1993
Storm nameDates activeMax wind
km/h (mph)
Pressure
(hPa)
Areas affectedDamage
(USD)
DeathsRefs
Zola (Unsing)September 5–995 (60)985JapanNoneNone
KennethSeptember 5–17240 (150)932NoneNoneNone
FloydSeptember 7–10120 (75)990Newfoundland and LabradorMinimalNone
TDSeptember 7–81006PhilippinesNoneNone
LidiaSeptember 8–14240 (150)930Southwestern Mexico, California$8 million7
Abe (Walding)September 9–15155 (100)940Philippines, Taiwan, ChinaUnknownNone
Becky (Yeyeng)September 13–18120 (75)980Philippines, South ChinaNone1
GertSeptember 14–21155 (100)970Central America, Mexico$170 million116
HarveySeptember 18–21120 (75)990NoneNoneNone
Dot (Anding)September 20–27140 (85)965Philippines, ChinaUnknownNone
Fourteen-ESeptember 21–2555 (35)1002Southwestern MexicoNoneNone
CecilSeptember 23–27155 (100)940Mariana IslandsNoneNone
BinangSeptember 251004NoneNoneNone
TenSeptember 29–3055 (35)1008NoneNoneNone
MaxSeptember 30 – October 475 (45)1000NoneNoneNone

October

Tropical cyclones formed in October 1993
Storm nameDates activeMax wind
km/h (mph)
Pressure
(hPa)
Areas affectedDamage
(USD)
DeathsRefs
Ed (Dinang)October 1–8185 (115)915Caroline Islands, Mariana IslandsNoneNone
Flo (Kadiang)October 1–8120 (75)970Philippines, Ryukyu Islands$188 million576
NormaOctober 2–675 (45)1000NoneNoneNone
EpangOctober 6–1345 (30)1002Philippines, South ChinaNoneNone
Gene (Gundang)October 7–1065 (40)998Caroline IslandsNoneNone
Seventeen-EOctober 11–1455 (35)1009NoneNoneNone
HattieOctober 19–2595 (60)980Marshall IslandsNoneNone
TDOctober 22992NoneNoneNone
Ira (Husing)October 27 – November 5150 (90)950Caroline Islands, Mariana Islands, Philippines, ChinaUnknownUnknown

November

Tropical cyclones formed in November 1993
Storm nameDates activeMax wind
km/h (mph)
Pressure
(hPa)
Areas affectedDamage
(USD)
DeathsRefs
JeanaNovember 5–1085 (50)992Caroline IslandsNoneNone
ARB 01/02November 8–16120 (75)986India, PakistanUnknown644
AlexinaNovember 9–1485 (50)982NoneNoneNone
IndangNovember 12–1345 (30)1008PhilippinesNoneNone
32WNovember 13–1645 (30)1002Caroline IslandsNoneNone
33WNovember 17–1945 (30)1002Marshall IslandsNoneNone
BettinaNovember 25 – December 2110 (70)970NoneNoneNone
Kyle (Luring)November 17–24130 (80)960Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia$1.5 million110

December

Tropical cyclones formed in December 1993
Storm nameDates activeMax wind
km/h (mph)
Pressure
(hPa)
Areas affectedDamage
(USD)
DeathsRefs
BOB 02December 1–4165 (105)968India$216 million70
Lola (Monang)December 1–9150 (90)955Caroline Islands, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia$261 million370
Manny (Naning)December 3–16140 (85)955Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand$50 million245
CeciliaDecember 12–21100 (65)972MauritiusNoneNone
OningDecember 14–1655 (35)1004PhilippinesNoneNone
NaomiDecember 14–18140 (85)960Western AustraliaMinimalNone
BOB 03December 19–2055 (35)1006Southern IndiaNoneNone
Nell (Puring)December 21–31110 (70)975PhilippinesNoneNone
RewaDecember 26, 1993 – January 23, 1994205 (125)920Melanesia, Eastern Australia, New ZealandUnknown20
OscarDecember 28, 1993 – January 9, 199465 (40)995Northern Territory, Western AustraliaNoneNone

Global effects

There are a total of seven tropical cyclone basins that tropical cyclones typically form in this table, data from all these basins are added.[4]

Season nameAreas affectedSystems formedNamed stormsHurricane-force
tropical cyclones
Damage
(1995 USD)
DeathsRef.
North Atlantic Ocean[a]Greater Antilles, Southeastern United States, East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada, Gulf Coast of the United States, Central America, Yucatan Peninsula1084$322.3 million382
Eastern and Central Pacific Ocean[a]Baja California Peninsula, Southwestern Mexico, Hawaii171511$45 million51
Western Pacific Ocean[b]Marshall Islands, Caroline Islands, Ryukyu Islands, South China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korean Peninsula, Laos, Thailand, Mariana Islands, Japan, Cambodia492720$3.79 billion1,743
North Indian Ocean[c]South Asia422$216 million914
South-West Indian OceanJanuary – June[d][e]Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, Agaléga1085
July – December[b]432
Australian regionJanuary – June[d]Western Australia, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands662
July – December[b]Christmas Island, Western Australia221
South Pacific OceanJanuary – June[d]753
July – December[b]Australia111
Worldwide(See above)108[f]7548$4,368,200,0003,090
  1. ^ The wind speeds for this tropical cyclone/basin are based on the Saffir Simpson Scale which uses 1-minute sustained winds.
  2. ^ Only systems that formed either before or on December 31, 1993 are counted in the seasonal totals.
  3. ^ The wind speeds for this tropical cyclone/basin are based on the IMD Scale which uses 3-minute sustained winds.
  4. ^ Only systems that formed either on or after January 1, 1993 are counted in the seasonal totals.
  5. ^ The wind speeds for this tropical cyclone are based on Météo-France, which uses wind gusts.
  6. ^ The sum of the number of systems in each basin will not equal the number shown as the total. This is because when systems move between basins, it creates a discrepancy in the actual number of systems.

See also

Notes

2 Only systems that formed either on or after January 1, 1993 are counted in the seasonal totals.
3 Only systems that formed either before or on December 31, 1993 are counted in the seasonal totals.
4 The wind speeds for this tropical cyclone/basin are based on the IMD Scale which uses 3-minute sustained winds.
5 The wind speeds for this tropical cyclone/basin are based on the Saffir Simpson Scale which uses 1-minute sustained winds.
6The wind speeds for this tropical cyclone are based on Météo-France which uses wind gusts.

References

  1. ^ What is La Niña?. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  2. ^ Neal Dorst & Anne-Claire Fontan. When is the hurricane season for each basin?. Météo France. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  3. ^ "Meteorology". Journal of Meteorology. 18. Artetech International. 1993. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  4. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential Seven Basins". NOAA. Retrieved October 20, 2021.

Regional Specialized Meteorological Centers

Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers

  1. ^ All damage figures are in 1993 USD, unless otherwise noted