Current Snapshot

The Pacific Disaster Center’s (PDC Global) Sunday, December 22, 2024, Tropical Cyclone Activity Report…for the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and adjacent Seas

Current Tropical Cyclones:

Tropical Cyclone 28W, is located approximately 354 east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Northeast Pacific Ocean: There are no Tropical Cyclones

The last regularly scheduled Tropical Cyclone Activity Report of the 2024 eastern North Pacific Hurricane Season has been issued. Routine issuance of this section of the PDC product will resume on May 15, 2025. During the off-season, Special Tropical Weather Outlooks will be issued as conditions warrant by the NHC.

2024 Hurricane Season Summary for the Northeast Pacific Basin

The 2024 Pacific hurricane season was a below-average Pacific hurricane season. There were 15 tropical cyclones overall, of which all but 2 became named storms. Of the 13 named storms, 5 developed into hurricanes, of which 3 intensified into major hurricanes. The season officially began on May 15 in the eastern Pacific basin (east of 140°W) and ended on November 30. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most subtropical or tropical cyclogenesis occurs in this region of the Pacific Ocean. For the third consecutive year, there were no pre-season tropical cyclones and the season got off to the slowest start of any Pacific hurricane season on record in the satellite era, with the first eastern Pacific tropical storm, Aletta, not forming until July 4. The final system of the season, Tropical Depression Fourteen‑E, dissipated on November 7.

Several storms impacted land this year. Hurricane Hone dropped very heavy rainfall over the Big Island of Hawaii after passing just offshore at Category 1 strength. The remnants of Hurricane Gilma impacted the islands several days later, though neither cyclone caused significant damage. Tropical Storm Ileana grazed the coast of northwestern Mexico, resulting in flooding and one fatality. Hurricane John made landfall on southern Mexico twice after rapidly intensifying to a Category 3 hurricane, causing 29 deaths and an estimated $1 billion in damage. The strongest storm of the season was Hurricane Kristy, which became the first Category 5 Pacific hurricane in a non-El Niño year since Celia in 2010.

Central Pacific Ocean: There are no Tropical Cyclones

The 2024 central North Pacific hurricane season has ended. As such, the final routine Tropical Cyclone Activity Report for the 2024 season has been issued. Routine issuance of this section of the PDC product will resume on June 1, 2025. During the off-season, Special Tropical Weather Outlooks will be issued as conditions warrant by the CPHC.

2024 Hurricane Season Summary for the Central Pacific Basin

The 2024 hurricane season featured two tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) area of responsibility. Four to five tropical cyclones occur during an average year. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The central Pacific basin extends from 140°W to the International Date Line.

Hurricane Hone was the first tropical cyclone of the season in the central Pacific, developing about 1,000 miles east-southeast of the Big Island on August 22. This was the first tropical cyclone to form in the central Pacific since Tropical Storm Ema in October 2019. Hone continued to strengthen as it approached the state, eventually becoming a hurricane late on August 24 just over 50 miles south-southeast of Ka Lae, the southern tip of the Big Island. Hone weakened to a Tropical Depression on August 29, then strengthened to a Tropical Storm again from August 30-September 1. During this time a Tropical Storm Watch was issued for Kure and Midway Atolls and portions of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument from Lisianski Island to Pearl and Hermes Atoll. Hone became extratropical just after crossing the International Date Line on September 1.

Hurricane Gilma moved into the basin from the east on August 27 and rapidly weakened before dissipating east of Hawaii.

Impacts to the State of Hawaii: Heavy rain from Hurricane Hone caused flash flooding that damaged homes and closed several roads across Hawaii County on August 25, leading to several million dollars in damage. Tropical storm force winds brought down trees and utility poles on the Big Island, with reports of damage on Maui and Oahu as well.

Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and adjacent Seas:

Western Pacific

Tropical Cyclone 28W

According to the the JTWC warning nunber 3, sustained winds were 30 knots with gusts to near 40 knots

Animated enhanced infrared (eir) satellite imagery depicts a consolidating system, with improved deep convective banding wrapping from the northern quadrant into the southern quadrant of an improved low-level circulation center (llcc). Tropical Depression 28W has formed slowly within a complex, late season environment, adjacent to a strong northeast surge event and extensive swath of 25-30 knot north-northeasterly to northerly winds. Invest 98W, which formed in close proximity to this system, is weakening rapidly and getting absorbed into the southeast periphery of 28W.

Tropical Depression 28W is tracking along the southwestern periphery of the low-level str and is forecast to continue tracking northwestward through 24 hours. Modest intensification is anticipated through 24 hours, with a peak intensity of 40 knots forecast by 24 hours due to marginally favorable conditions.

After 24 hours, the system will slow as it encounters strong low-level surge flow then will turn sharply west-southwestward while weakening due to slightly cooler sea surface temperature values and infusion of cooler, more stable air associated with the surge event.

After 48 hours, the surge event will gradually weaken allowing the system to track west-southwestward into southern Vietnam under the low-level ridge over southeast Asia. TD 28W will quickly dissipate over Vietnam by 72 hours due to land interaction.

Southwest Pacific

>>> There’s an area of disturbed weather that is being referred to as Invest 96P, which is located approximately 591 NM west of Noumea.

The system is currently assessed as a subtropical cyclone, generally characterized as having both tropical and mid-latitude cyclone features.

Animated multi-spectral satellite imagery and a microwave satellite image depict an elongated, exposed low level circulation center.

Environmental analysis reveals an unfavorable environment for tropical development with a tight gradient of vertical wind shear of 10-30 knots associated with the mid-latitude westerlies, weak upper-level outflow and warm sea surface temperatures.

Global deterministic and ensemble models indicate that Invest 96P will undergo limited development over the next 24-48 hours.

The potential for the development of a significant tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours is downgraded to low. 

North Indian Ocean

>>> There’s a second area of disturbed weather that is being referred to as Invest 91B, which is located approximately 240 NM east of Chennai, India.

Animated enhanced infrared satellite imagery depicts a fully-exposed low level circulation center with flaring convection to the east of the semi-circle.

Environmental analysis reveals a marginal environment with high vertical wind shear of 25-30 knots, good poleward outflow, and warm sea surface temperatures.

Global deterministic and ensemble models are in good agreement that 91B will meander in the basin for a short period of time before moving toward the southern peninsula of India.

Maximum sustained surface winds are estimated at 23 to 28 knots.

The potential for the development of a significant tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours remains low.