1990 East Pacific hurricane season
May 15, 1990 – Nov 30, 1990 · Season ended
The 1990 East Pacific hurricane season produced 20 named storms, 16 hurricanes and 6 major hurricanes, against a 1991–2020 average of 15.6, 8.4 and 4.4. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 246, 193% of the average.
1990 season at a glance
- Named storms: 20 (1991–2020 average 15.6).
- Hurricanes (64 kt+): 16 (average 8.4).
- Major, 96 kt+: 6 (average 4.4).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 245.7, 193% of the 127 average.
- Named-storm days: 120.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Alma, May 14.
- First hurricane: Alma, May 15.
- First major storm: Hernan, July 22.
- Last storm to dissipate: Trudy, November 1.
- All systems tracked: 24, including 4 that stayed below tropical-storm strength.
Counts use 1-minute best-track winds: named storms reached 34 kt (39 mph), the next column 64 kt (74 mph) and major storms 96 kt (111 mph).
Every storm of the 1990 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alma | – | C1 | 979 mb | — |
| Boris | – | C1 | 977 mb | — |
| Cristina | – | TS | 994 mb | — |
| Douglas | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Elida | – | C1 | 990 mb | — |
| TD 6E | – | TD | — | — |
| Fausto | – | C1 | 979 mb | — |
| Genevieve | – | C2 | 970 mb | — |
| Hernan | – | C4 | 928 mb | — |
| Iselle | – | C3 | 958 mb | — |
| TD 11E | – | TD | — | — |
| TD 12E | – | TD | — | — |
| Julio | – | C3 | 960 mb | — |
| Kenna | – | C1 | 980 mb | — |
| Lowell | – | C1 | 986 mb | — |
| Marie | – | C4 | 944 mb | — |
| TD 18E | – | TD | — | — |
| Norbert | – | C1 | 983 mb | — |
| Odile | – | C4 | 935 mb | — |
| Rachel | – | TS | 994 mb | Las Palmas, Mexico |
| Polo | – | C1 | 987 mb | — |
| Simon | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Trudy | – | C4 | 924 mb | — |
| Vance | – | C2 | 975 mb | — |
- Alma: Alma formed in the East Pacific in May 1990 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 979 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Boris: Boris formed in the East Pacific in June 1990 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 977 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Cristina: Cristina formed in the East Pacific in June 1990 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Douglas: Douglas formed in the East Pacific in June 1990 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Elida: Elida formed in the East Pacific in June 1990 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 6E: This system formed in the East Pacific in June 1990 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Fausto: Fausto formed in the East Pacific in July 1990 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 979 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Genevieve: Genevieve formed in the East Pacific in July 1990 and peaked as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Hernan: Hernan formed in the East Pacific in July 1990 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 928 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Iselle: Iselle formed in the East Pacific in July 1990 and peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 958 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- TD 11E: This system formed in the East Pacific in July 1990 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- TD 12E: This system formed in the East Pacific in August 1990 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Julio: Julio formed in the East Pacific in August 1990 and peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Kenna: Kenna formed in the East Pacific in August 1990 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Lowell: Lowell formed in the East Pacific in August 1990 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 986 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Marie: Marie formed in the East Pacific in September 1990 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 944 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- TD 18E: This system formed in the East Pacific in September 1990 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Norbert: Norbert formed in the East Pacific in September 1990 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 983 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Odile: Odile formed in the East Pacific in September 1990 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 935 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Rachel: Rachel formed in the East Pacific in September 1990 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Las Palmas, Mexico and last near Angostura, Mexico. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Polo: Polo formed in the East Pacific in September 1990 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Simon: Simon formed in the East Pacific in October 1990 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Trudy: Trudy formed in the East Pacific in October 1990 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 924 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Vance: Vance formed in the East Pacific in October 1990 and peaked as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1990
Hurricane Trudy was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 155 mph (250 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 924 mb, on October 20. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
21 East Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 10 matched it. It produced 19% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1990
1 of the season’s 24 systems made landfall, none of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
How 1990 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 5th of 47 East Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 2 other seasons), 1st for hurricanes and 4th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 25 named storms, in 1992, and the highest ACE is 294, in 2018.
1990 storm names
The 1990 season used 20 names: Alma, Boris, Cristina, Douglas, Elida, Fausto, Genevieve, Hernan, Iselle, Julio, Kenna, Lowell, Marie, Norbert, Odile, Rachel, Polo, Simon, Trudy, Vance.
4 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
Atlantic and East Pacific lists repeat every six years. See how storms are named.
1990 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1990?
The 1990 East Pacific hurricane season had 20 named storms, 16 hurricanes and 6 major hurricanes, from 24 systems tracked in all. The 1991–2020 average is 15.6 named storms, 8.4 at 64 kt or more and 4.4 major per season. The first to form was Alma and the last was Vance.
What was the strongest storm of 1990?
Hurricane Trudy. It peaked at 155 mph (250 km/h, 135 kt) with a lowest pressure of 924 mb on October 20. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 21 East Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 19% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1990 season end?
The official season ended on November 30, 1990, as it does every year in the Atlantic, eastern Pacific and Central Pacific. The last system, Trudy, dissipated on November 1. Storms that form in December still count toward that year: 1 East Pacific storm since 1980 reached tropical-storm strength in December.