Felicia (2021)

The disturbance that became Felicia was first noted over Panama, Costa Rica, and the far eastern Pacific on 9 July 2021. A tropical depression formed by 0000 UTC 14 July about 500 nautical miles southwest of southwestern Mexico. Felicia moved generally west to west-northwest, rapidly strengthened after formation, reached peak intensity on 17 July, and then turned west‑northwest and weakened over cooler water before becoming a remnant low by 1800 UTC 20 July about 1,000 nautical miles east of the Big Island of Hawaii. The remnant low opened into a trough by 22 July southeast of the Big Island.

Felicia remained well offshore for its entire life; no coastal watches or warnings were required and there were no recorded landfalls. The storm tracked far to the west of Mexico and well east of Hawaii, staying over open ocean throughout its lifecycle.

The hurricane reached a maximum sustained wind speed of 125 knots (about 144 mph) with an estimated minimum central pressure of 945 mb around 1200–1800 UTC 17 July 2021. At peak intensity it was a compact Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale, with hurricane‑force winds extending only about 15 nautical miles from the eye and tropical‑storm‑force winds to about 50 nautical miles.

There were no reports of storm surge or rainfall impacts at land locations associated with Felicia, and no ship or buoy reports of tropical‑storm‑force winds. Because the cyclone remained over open water, no specific coastal surge heights or rainfall totals in named cities or counties were recorded in the report.

No damage or casualties were reported. Forecasts for Felicia’s track were generally skillful and better than average, though intensity forecasts had larger errors, particularly during Felicia’s rapid intensification and rapid weakening phases. Notably, the hurricane was unusually small in size despite reaching major hurricane strength.