Hurricane Patricia Strikes

Date: October 23, 2015 • Location: Mexico City, Mexico

Hurricane Patricia, the most intense tropical cyclone on record in the Western Hemisphere, peaked with maximum sustained winds of 215 mph (345 km/h) south of Mexico. Hurricane Patricia was the most powerful tropical cyclone on record worldwide in terms of maximum sustained winds. It was also the second-most intense on record worldwide in terms of pressure, with a minimum atmospheric pressure of 872 mbar (25.75 inHg), just behind Typhoon Tip's 870 mbar (25.69 inHg). Originating from a sprawling disturbance near the Gulf of Tehuantepec, south of Mexico, in mid-October 2015, Patricia was first classified as a tropical depression on October 20. Initial development was slow, with only modest strengthening within the first day of its classification. The system later became a tropical storm and was named Patricia, the twenty-fourth named storm of the 2015 Pacific hurricane season. Exceptionally favorable environmental conditions fueled explosive intensification on October 22. A well-defined eye developed within an intense central dense overcast and Patricia grew from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours—a near-record pace. On October 23, the hurricane achieved its record peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 215 mph (345 km/h).