Hurricane Fefa
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This article is about the Pacific hurricane of 1991. For other storms of the same name, see Hurricane Fefa (disambiguation).
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Hurricane Fefa over the open eastern Pacific |
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| Formed | July 29, 1991 | |
| Dissipated | August 8, 1991 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 959 mbar (hPa) | |
| Damage | Unknown | |
| Fatalities | None reported | |
| Areas affected |
Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaiian Islands | |
| Part of the 1991 Pacific hurricane season |
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Hurricane Fefa was a hurricane of the 1991 Pacific hurricane season that managed to affect the Hawaiian Islands. It formed on July 29 and dissipated on August 8, just as it hit Hawaii. Nevertheless, it still caused injuries and flooding. It is one of the few east Pacific hurricanes to have its name retired.
Contents |
[edit] Storm history
Fefa formed in the eastern Pacific on July 29. It strengthened steadily, reaching hurricane intensity on the 31st. It became a major hurricane when it reached Category 3 strength on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale on August 2. It then started fluctuating in strength and gradually weakened.
Fefa's course was originally west-northwest. However, it turned towards almost due west and took a course that took it straight towards the Hawaiian Islands. On August 5 it crossed 140W and entered the Central Pacific Hurricane Center’s area of responsibility. At that time, its winds were around 105 mph.
As Fefa neared Hawaii, a cold-core low pressure area developed over the area. On and before August 8, this caused extremely strong wind shear that disintegrated Fefa just as it reached the Big Island.
Fefa’s remnants left the Big Island on the August 8. They passed south of the other major islands. On the 9th, the remnants dissipated northwest of Kauai.
[edit] Impact
Because Fefa threatened Hawaii, USAF Hurricane Hunters made a total of three flights into the cyclone. They conducted reconnaissance and gave position fixes.
The remnants of Fefa interacted with the upper level low over the Big Island. This created unstable weather. Strong wind gusts of up to 60 mph were reported on Hawaii and on parts of Maui.
Thunderstorms also developed in Fefa’s northeast quadrant. Moving in from offshore, they developed and climbed up the slopes of Mauna Kea and Kohala. The thunderstorms produced heavy downpours on the Big Island. Flash flooding occurred in the districts of Kohala and Hamakua on August 7.
There are no known deaths from Hurricane Fefa. There were at least two injuries, both caused by lightning. A man in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was hurt when lightning struck where he was walking. Another man was burnt when lightning moved through telephone wires. The level of property damage is unknown.
The name was retired and replaced by Felicia for the 1997 Pacific hurricane season.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- CPHC archive on Hurricane Fefa accessed September 29, 2005
- Unisys track accessed September 29, 2005
