The 2002 Pacific hurricane season was an event in tropical cyclone meteorology. The most notable storm that year was Hurricane Kenna, which reached Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. It made landfall near Puerto Vallarta, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, on October 25. It killed four people and was one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever strike the western coast of Mexico, hitting with winds of 140 mph (the strongest since Hurricane Madeline in 1976). Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Julio made landfall in Mexico, and Tropical Storm Boris dumped torrential rain along the Mexican coast, although it remained offshore.
The season officially began on May 15 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1 in the central Pacific. It ended on November 30. These dates delimit the time when most tropical cyclones form in this part of the Pacific Ocean. The first system formed on May 24 and the final depression dissipated on November 16.
Other storms were individually unusual. Hurricanes Elida and Hernan also reached Category 5 intensity, but neither did any damage. Hurricane Fausto, while it had no effect on land, regenerated into a tiny tropical storm at a very high latitude.
Read more about 2002 Pacific Hurricane Season: Season Summary, Storms, Storm Names
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