Ileana (2012)

A tropical wave that moved from Africa into the eastern North Pacific developed a well-defined center on 25 August and became Tropical Depression Nine on 27 August 2012 about 325 nautical miles south‑southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. It strengthened to a tropical storm six hours later and then moved generally northwestward and west‑northwestward. Ileana strengthened in a favorable environment and reached hurricane strength by 0000 UTC 30 August, then turned west‑northwest and west as cooler water and drier air weakened it. The system weakened to a tropical depression by 0600 UTC 2 September, became a remnant low by 4 September, and dissipated by 1200 UTC 6 September far west of Baja California and well east‑southeast of Hawaii.

Ileana did not make landfall; its circulation remained over the open eastern North Pacific throughout its lifetime and no watches or warnings were required for land areas.

The hurricane’s peak intensity was 75 knots (85 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 978 mb at 1800 UTC 30 August. That intensity corresponds to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir‑Simpson scale, and the hurricane strength was brief as the cyclone weakened soon afterward.

Because Ileana stayed at sea, there were no direct measurements of storm surge on land and no reported storm surge impacts. Rainfall and surge impacts to specific coastal cities or counties were not reported in the Tropical Cyclone Report; there were no surface observations from land stations tied to Ileana’s circulation.

There were no reports of damage or casualties—no deaths or injuries—associated with Ileana. The storm’s impacts to land were negligible because it remained over open water for its entire life.

Notable points from the analysis: genesis of Ileana was reasonably well forecast, with the system highlighted in outlooks up to several days before formation. NHC track and intensity forecasts for Ileana performed better than the recent 5‑year averages, with especially small track errors at longer lead times.