1968 Pacific hurricane season

Infobox hurricane season
Basin=EPac
Year=1968
Track=1968 Pacific hurricane season map.png First storm formed=June 20, 1968
Last storm dissipated=October 28, 1968
Strongest storm name=Rebecca
Strongest storm pressure=965
Strongest storm winds=75
Average wind speed=1
Total depressions=26
Total storms=20
Total hurricanes=6
Total intense=
Fatalities=5 direct
Da

five seasons=1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970The 1968 Pacific hurricane season holds the record for having the most active month in the East Pacific since reliable records began. It officially started on May 15, 1968 in the eastern Pacific and lasted until November 30, 1968. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

Several notable systems formed during the season. Five named storms—Hyacinth, Iva, Liza, Naomi, and Pauline—had effects in the United States. Two others—Annette and Tropical Depression Two—affected Mexico, and Tropical Storm Simone made a rare landfall on Guatemala. Tropical Storm Virginia, which formed in the West Pacific, set a record for tropical storm formation at high latitudes that would stand for seven years, until Hurricane 12 in 1975. In a similar record, Tropical Storm Madeline formed further south than any tropical cyclone in the basin until 1970, and was the first to do so south of 10°N. Despite various record setting storms, only one named storm, Pauline, was responsible for any deaths, and another, Liza, had any sort of damage totals.

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torms

Timeline of tropical activity in the 1968 Pacific hurricane season

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DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyyPeriod = from:01/06/1968 till:01/11/1968TimeAxis = orientation:horizontalScaleMinor = grid:black unit:month increment:1 start:01/06/1968

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barset:Hurricane width:10 align:left fontsize:S shift:(4,-4) anchor:till from:20/06/1968 till:22/06/1968 color:TS text:"Annette" from:21/06/1968 till:22/06/1968 color:TD text:"Two" barset:break from:04/07/1968 till:09/07/1968 color:TS text:"Bonny" from:12/07/1968 till:14/07/1968 color:TD text:"Four" from:15/07/1968 till:21/07/1968 color:TS text:"Celeste" from:21/07/1968 till:26/07/1968 color:TS text:"Diana" from:23/07/1968 till:31/07/1968 color:TS text:"Estelle" from:30/07/1968 till:01/08/1968 color:TD text:"Eight" barset:break from:05/08/1968 till:15/08/1968 color:C1 text:"Fernanda" from:06/08/1968 till:09/08/1968 color:TS text:"Gwen" from:17/08/1968 till:21/08/1968 color:TS text:"Hyacinth" from:21/08/1968 till:26/08/1968 color:TS text:"Iva" from:21/08/1968 till:28/08/1968 color:C1 text:"Joanne" from:24/08/1968 till:03/09/1968 color:TS text:"Kathleen" from:24/08/1968 till:25/08/1968 color:TS text:"Virginia" from:28/08/1968 till:06/09/1968 color:C1 text:"Liza" from:29/08/1968 till:30/08/1968 color:TS text:"Madeline" from:29/08/1968 till:31/08/1968 color:TD text:"Eighteen" barset:break from:09/09/1968 till:13/09/1968 color:C1 text:"Naomi" from:22/09/1968 till:30/09/1968 color:TS text:"Orla" from:26/09/1968 till:03/10/1968 color:C1 text:"Pauline" from:06/10/1968 till:11/10/1968 color:C1 text:"Rebecca" from:11/10/1968 till:15/10/1968 color:TD text:"Twenty-One" from:15/10/1968 till:17/10/1968 color:TD text:"Twenty-Two" from:18/10/1968 till:19/10/1968 color:TS text:"Simone" from:20/10/1968 till:28/10/1968 color:TS text:"Tara" barset:skip

bar:Month width:5 align:center fontsize:S shift:(0,-20) anchor:middle color:canvas from:01/06/1968 till:01/07/1968 text:June from:01/07/1968 till:01/08/1968 text:July from:01/08/1968 till:01/09/1968 text:August from:01/09/1968 till:01/10/1968 text:September from:01/10/1968 till:01/11/1968 text:OctoberTwenty-five tropical cyclones formed this season, resulting in 501 advisories being issued in the East Pacific cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf] , and thirty being issued for the Central Pacificcite web|author=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=The 1968 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1968.php] , both records at the time. Of these, six remained depressions, thirteen peaked as tropical storms, and six reached hurricane strength. There were no major hurricanes this season. Many of the tropical cyclones this season - including all six hurricanes - formed from Intertropical Convergence Zone disturbances.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] Eight tropical storms formed in August this year, a record for the most active August in the East Pacific, excluding Virginia. The eight named storms forming in August this year also made it the most tropical storms to ever form in a month in the East Pacific since reliable records began.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt]

Because of a lack of recon data, a lot of the intensity readings from this season were later thrown out. Only one pressure reading from this season - a 1008 mbar reading taken from Hurricane Pauline on October 29 when it was a tropical depression - was left on the best track data,cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] although a pressure of 1005 mbar taken from Tropical Storm Simone was used to set its peak intensity.cite web|author=NOAA|year=2006|title=Recommended Changes to EPac HURDAT
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/metadataEPAC.html] All hurricanes were found to have had convert|85|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on winds and with the exception of two tropical storms - Orla and Virginia - all storms were downgraded to peak intensities of convert|50|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on

Tropical Storm Annette

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac
Track=Annette 1968 track.pngFormed=June 20
Dissipated=June 22
1-min winds=45A Norwegian ship called the "Kollfinn" off the coast of Mexico sent a message stating "Tropical storm at 17.0°N, 101.0°W. Bad weather here", but it was not until another ship called the "James Lykes" reported south-southwest winds of convert|50|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on on June 20 that the storm was named. Along with the windspeed, the James Lykes recorded loose organization. Annette's time was short lived, as it made landfall and dissipated near Manzanillo on June 22.

The satellite that was orbiting over Annette never took a picture with the storm in view and was usually at the edge. A computerized mosaic showed a spiral vortex with a center over land, which was not helpful because ship reports noted that the surface circulation was convert|50|mi|km|abbr=on away, over water. Although the possibility of damage was raised in the post-season report, no reports of damages or casualties were reported in connection to the storm.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Tropical Storm Bonny

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Bonny 1968 track.pngFormed=July 4
Dissipated=July 9
1-min winds=45Bonny was the first of a large group of tropical cyclones that developed from ITCZ disturbances this season. Late on July 3, a low pressure center in the ITCZ rapidly intensified, becoming a tropical storm on July 4. The newly named storm tracked west-northwest for 24 hours before turning to the north on July 5 into July 6. As a result, winds of convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on were felt on Socorro Island, which was an estimated convert|50|mi|km|abbr=on to the east-northeast of the storm center.

At this time, satellites revealed that cooler water, stratus inflow, and warm, moist air were starting to take their toll on Bonny. The storm began a slow dissipation, which began with reports of 55 mph winds on July 6, and, by the time a ship in the area reported the status of the weakening storm, the system had already dropped to depression strength with convert|30|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on winds. The storm dissipated on July 9. The remnant low from Bonny was noted as having no kinetic energy source at all, causing the forecasters to note that it had a "run down" appearance.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Tropical Storm Celeste

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Celeste 1968 track.pngFormed=July 15
Dissipated=July 21
1-min winds=45The disturbance that became Celeste was first noticed on July 13. The disturbance slowly intensified, becoming a tropical depression on July 14 and reaching storm strength on the next day. Initially, the intensity when the system became named was estimated at convert|70|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on, but post-season analysis revealed that the storm was convert|50|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on at the first advisory at storm strength. This difference in intensity was blamed on brightness issues on the photo taken by satellite, making the storm look more powerful than it really was. The storm never strengthened past the convert|50|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on peak it had reached when it became a storm. The storm would continue uneventfully until July 17, when the storm was estimated to be at its strongest. Despite the strength, stratus inflow was starting to become entrained in the circulation and, shortly after peaking, the storm began weakening after the cirrus cap got detached. The weakening Celeste became less discernible in recon reports, but the cloud vortex was still well defined. On July 20, the storm was downgraded into a depression and dissipated 24 hours afterward.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Tropical Storm Diana

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Diana 1968 track.pngFormed=July 21
Dissipated=July 26
1-min winds=45While Celeste was weakening, a tropical disturbance associated with the ITCZ first appeared on July 19. After Celeste lost its tropical identity on July 21, the depression had strengthened enough to be upgraded to tropical storm strength and given the name "Diana". The banding in the center of the upgraded system was obscured by heavy cirrus outflow. The initial intensity set was convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on.

The "Anco Swan", a ship north of the storm, indicated that Diana had reached peak intensity around this time and was sustained for two days. Then, cool inflow began getting caught in the storm, resulting in weakening. The storm degenerated into a depression on July 24 and continued moving westward. The depression finally dissipated on July 26, well away from land.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Tropical Storm Estelle

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac
Track=Estelle 1968 track.pngFormed=July 23
Dissipated=July 31
1-min winds=45Estelle was a tropical storm that spent most of its life as a depression as a result of a southward shift in trade winds and the ITCZ, which provoked an early weakening and prevented reintensification. It was also the first of four named storms to have advisories issued in the Central Pacific basin. The storm originated in a disturbance associated with the ITCZ. The disturbance had become a tropical depression on July 23 and reached storm strength the next day. The new tropical storm would last at that intensity for only 30 hours, when it weakened back to a depression.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] The weakened Estelle continued westward, passing into the Central Pacific around July 31. The group that oversaw the Central Pacific at the time - the Joint Hurricane Warning Center - issued the depression's final advisory on August 1.cite web|author=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=The 1968 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1968.php]

Estelle was an unusual storm in that it had advisories issued on it in the Central Pacific despite never actually crossing into the basin. It dissipated at a longitude of 139.6°W, whereas the Central Pacific begins at 140°W.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] Its last operational advisory centered the storm at 141.6°W.cite web|author=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=The 1968 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1968.php]

Hurricane Fernanda

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Fernanda 1968 track.pngFormed=August 5
Dissipated=August 15
1-min winds=75The trade winds that had resulted in the weakening of Estelle in late July had decreased in early August, allowing a weak disturbance in the ITCZ to organize near Acapulco. By August 5, the disturbance had developed a vortex and advisories were started on the newly formed depression. The depression would continue to strengthen and, after acquiring significant cirrus outflow, was upgraded to tropical storm intensity on August 6. Fernanda continued to develop, despite the proximity of Tropical Storm Gwen, which was convert|450|mi|km|abbr=on to the east-northeast of the center. On August 8, the storm had developed an eye in a tightly wound spiral overcast and became a hurricane while moving westward.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] Cool inflow began to get trapped in the circulation, causing the hurricane to weaken to a storm on August 9,cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] but due to the hurricane moving over warmer water, it was not enough to begin dissipation alone. The feeder bands, which helped the hurricane to reach its peak intensity, continued to persist over warm water until August 11, when the cirrus cap over Fernanda became uncoupled to the east, thus exposing the west side of the storm. Plane reports showed the hurricane had moved under westerly winds in the troposphere, which resulted in the storm weakening to a depression on August 13. Shower activity from the hurricane continued diminishing until August 14, and, early on August 15, Fernanda dissipated, having never affected land.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Tropical Storm Gwen

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Gwen 1968 track.pngFormed=August 6
Dissipated=August 9
1-min winds=45The ITCZ-based depression which developed into Gwen was first noted on August 5 while convert|250|mi|km|abbr=on south of Tehuantepec. Although a ship in the region reported convert|40|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on winds and convert|14|ft|m|sing=on waves, a satellite picture revealed a cloud mass of amorphous quality. Although a little vortex in the region was visible, the system would show little development for 48 hours until, on August 7, stronger rotation and outflow were apparent in satellite imagery. The next day, a ship north of the center reported convert|13|ft|m|sing=on waves and convert|35|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on winds. Mosaics based on satellite images, plus the ship report, were enough data to upgrade the system to a tropical storm. Around this time, the track of the newly-named Gwen was being affected by the stronger Fernanda to its west.

Strong outflow from Gwen caused reflective cloud masses to the east and south of its center on August 8, but satellite photos showed an exposed circulation in the northwest section of the storm with cloud cover lagging behind itcite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] , and the storm was downgraded to a depression later that day.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] The circulation was completely exposed by the next day, and Gwen was considered to have dissipated. The remnants of Gwen continued to interact with Fernanda until complete dissipation.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Tropical Storm Hyacinth

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Hyacinth 1968 track.pngFormed=August 17
Dissipated=August 21
1-min winds=45The origins of Hyacinth were linked to a cold front that was over Texas on August 11. There was no activity associated with the disturbance until August 16, when a circular overcast broke away from the cloud mass associated with the cold front. The overcast breaking away was related to a newly-formed low, which moved north-northwest while rapidly intensifying, becoming a tropical storm on August 17. Hyacinth continued to move north-northwestward, entering the mouth of the Gulf of California later that day, with a ship reporting a barometric pressure of 994 mbar from the storm. Another ship report, showing winds of convert|65|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on, was received at the same time. The storm passed convert|60|mi|km|abbr=on east of La Paz, Baja California Sur, on August 18, and the next day, it made landfall near Los Mochis, Sinaloa. The clouds associated with the storm were tracked into the southwestern United States, causing showers and thunderstorms over Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado on August 20. The storm dissipated on August 21. No deaths were reported in connection to Hyacinth, and Mexican damage is unknown.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Tropical Storm Iva

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Iva 1968 track.pngFormed=August 21
Dissipated=August 26
1-min winds=45While the moisture and clouds associated with Hyacinth moved northward, an area of rain-producing clouds along the ITCZ stretched from the Gulf of Tehuantepec past Clipperton Island. On August 20, two disturbances were found along the area at positions 13°N, 96°W and 10°N, 106°W, the first found via satellite and the second by ship report. The disturbance at 13°N, 96°W developed into Tropical Storm Iva while the other disturbance ultimately became Hurricane Joanne. Ship reports on August 21 led to the disturbance to be deemed a tropical storm. However, in best track data, Iva was at depression strength throughout this date, becoming a tropical storm on August 22. Winds of up to convert|35|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on were recorded north of the center, which had shifted to 13.5°N, 98.5°W. Despite the winds, a satellite photo of the storm showed poor organization. The storm intensified slowly while moving west-northwest at convert|14|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on for the next 48 hours. On August 24, the storm passed convert|75|mi|km|abbr=on south of Socorro Island, which reported winds of convert|45|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. By this time, the storm was moving northwestward at convert|21|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on due to the influence of strengthening Hurricane Joanne. Later on August 24, a picture of Iva and Joanne showed that the cirrus cap over Iva was becoming separated from the circulation. The storm began weakening afterward, weakening to a depression on August 25 after moving over cool sea surface temperatures. The rain clouds associated with the weakening depression moved westward, producing rains for 12 hours until the storm dissipated early on August 26.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt]

Despite never making landfall while active, Iva was responsible for driving clouds and moisture inland, causing slight showers on August 26 in the area of Yuma, Arizona, which was convert|720|mi|km|abbr=on away for the center of the storm. After slight rainfall in the morning, a 30% chance of precipitation and the possibility of thunderstorms linked to the remnants was predicted for the rest of the day.cite web|author=Associated Press|year=1968|title=Tropical Storm Iva Brings Sprinkles Here|accessdate=2007-02-26|publisher=Yuma Daily Sun|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] No damages or casualties were ever reported due to Iva.

Hurricane Joanne

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Joanne 1968 track.pngFormed=August 21
Dissipated=August 28
1-min winds=75The other disturbance associated with the ITCZ that also formed Iva, at 10°N, 106°W, had a central pressure of 1007 mbar reported by a ship passing through the center along with calm winds on August 23, with the depression becoming a tropical storm later that day.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] 18 hours after the report, the cyclone began rapid intensification, with hurricane-force winds being reported before the end of the day, along with another report of a central pressure of 986 mbar, but the storm didn't officially reach hurricane strength until August 24.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] Around this time, the intensification of Joanne became a factor in the northwestward acceleration of Iva. On August 25, the hurricane had weakened to a storm, but on August 26, the storm was thought to have begun reintensifying due to the presence of an eye on satellite, but a ship nearby reported winds of only convert|25|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on and 1008 mbar. It was surmised that the eye on satellite was a "false eye" caused by the removal of the cirrus cap, revealing the location of the center. The storm weakened to a depression later that day, and ultimately dissipated on August 28, its remains being absorbed into the trade winds.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Tropical Storm Kathleen

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac
Track=Kathleen 1968 track.pngFormed=August 24
Dissipated=September 3
1-min winds=45Kathleen developed from an ITCZ disturbance that was first noticed on August 23 while convert|400|mi|km|abbr=on of Tehuantepec. The disturbance moved to the west-northwest at convert|15|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. A lack of information plagued investigation into the system until August 25, when the disturbance developed into Tropical Storm Kathleen. Reports of heavy rains and winds of convert|35|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on were reported by ships convert|75|mi|km|abbr=on from the center of the storm at this time. Afterward, the storm moved westward, with verification of the intensity of the storm coming from the ship "Denby Grange" on August 28, which reported eastward winds of convert|45|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on and a central pressure of 1003 mbar while north of the center.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] The storm continued to move westward, weakening to a tropical depression on August 29.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] The depression continued, moving into the Central Pacific late on September 1, ultimately dissipating on September 3.cite web|author=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=The 1968 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1968.php]

Although a long-lived storm, Kathleen had little organization. Satellite pictures taken of the storm never showed more than a slight vortex.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Tropical Storm Virginia

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac
Track=Tropical Storm Virginia (1968) JTWC Path.jpg
Formed=August 24
Dissipated=August 25
1-min winds=45Tropical Storm Virginia was the only tropical storm this season to form in the West Pacific and move into the Central Pacific.cite web|author=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=The 1968 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1968.php] It was first noticed on August 24 while convert|350|mi|km|abbr=on northwest of Midway Atoll, just east of the International Date Line and was upgraded to tropical storm status, becoming the 11th storm of the typhoon season.cite web|author=UNISYS|year=2006|title=1968 Typhoon Season Best Track
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/w_pacific/1968/index.html] After a brief flare in intensity, the storm crossed the Date Line while generating sustained winds of convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. In 24 hours after crossing, however, cold air got snared in the circulation, causing Virginia to be declared extratropical on August 25 at 38°Ncite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf] while moving northeastward. The same day, a ship called the "Lica Maersk" reported convert|45|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on winds. Two more ship reports after the transition gave wind reports of convert|65|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on on August 26 and convert|42|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on on August 28, while the extratropical storm was over the Gulf of Alaska.cite web|author=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=The 1968 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1968.php] The extratropical remnants of Virginia finally dissipated while in the Gulf of Alaska at an unprecedented latitude of 52°N which only one other storm has ever approached.cite web|author=UNISYS|year=2006|title=Tropical Storm #11 Best Track
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/w_pacific/1968/11/track.gif] cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] Shortly before becoming extratropical, it was estimated on best track that Virginia reached a minimum pressure of 990 mbar.cite web|author=Kitamoto Asanobu Labs|year=2008|title=Digital Typhoon: Typhoon 196811 (Virginia) - Pressure and Track Charts|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/digital-typhoon/summary/wnp/s/196811.html.en]

Virginia formed at an unusually high latitude, first becoming tropical at 31°N and crossing into the Central Pacific at 35°N.cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf] Few tropical cyclones have ever reached such latitudes and only one named cyclone - Typhoon Sarah from the previous year - had ever done it.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] Virginia held the record for the northernmost tropical storm formation in the Pacific basin until 1975, when an unnamed hurricane broke it.cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf] cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] That record was itself broken by Tropical Storm Wene of 2000, which formed and took a similar path to Virginia.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt]

Hurricane Liza

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Liza 1968 track.pngFormed=August 28
Dissipated=September 6
1-min winds=75
Pressure=998Hurricane Liza was a rapidly forming hurricane with an uncertain peak intensity. Forming suddenly from an area of the ITCZ on August 28, the hurricane quickly strengthened to reach a peak of convert|85|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on on August 30, though there is a possibility that the hurricane topped out as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of convert|115|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. After reaching its peak, cool inflow caused the hurricane to begin weakening. The hurricane was downgraded into a storm on September 2, despite a presentation that an observer remarked could mean that Liza was not even that strong. The hurricane continued to weaken, being downgraded into a tropical depression on September 4 and dissipating on September 6.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Liza was responsible for causing slight flooding in Long Beach, California and clogging storm drains.cite web|year=1968|title=Breakers Calm Down After Lashing Newport|publisher="Press–Telegram"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Various Labor Day swimmers were also swept up by waves triggered by Liza. 261 swimmers were reported swept in Newport Beach and 47 in Zuma Beach; all of which were rescued.cite web|year=1968|title=California Sees Some Big Waves|publisher="San Antonio Express"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Near Laguna Beach, three sundecks worth $5,000 (1968 USD) were ripped from their supports by the surf.cite web|year=1968|title=Staircase to Nowhere|publisher="Independent"|accessdate=2008-05-24|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]

Tropical Storm Madeline

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac
Track=Madeline 1968 track.pngFormed=August 29
Dissipated=August 30
1-min winds=45On August 28, satellite pictures picked up a overcast spanning a distance of two degrees of latitude convert|800|mi|km|abbr=on to the east-southeast of the newly-upgraded Tropical Storm Liza. The cloud mass grew in size, but was still disorganized when it was photographed on August 29, and a ship nearby reported calm winds, wind waves so undistinct that no direction of origin could be determined, and a swell of convert|1|ft|m|sing=on from an undetermined direction. Best track would eventually show that the system was a depression around this time. The same ship would later report a wind speed of convert|50|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on from the north-northwest with similar seas and a pressure estimate of 1009 mbar was determined via satellite, leading to the system to be upgraded to storm strength. The next day, the cloud mass associated with Madeline was beginning to break up, dissipating later that day. The only direct evidence to support the tropical storm status of the system was the convert|50|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on ship report. It is unknown whether or not the report of tropical storm-force winds was a gust or a sustained wind.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

The history set by Tropical Storm Virginia was repeated with Madeline. The depression formed at an unusually low latitude of 8.8°N, making Tropical Storm Madeline the first ever instance of a tropical storm forming at a latitude lower than 10°N. This was, at one time, the record for the lowest formation of a tropical cyclone in the East Pacific. This record was short-lived, as in 1970, Hurricane Francesca formed further south at 8.3°N.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt]

Hurricane Naomi

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Naomi 1968 track.pngFormed=September 9
Dissipated=September 13
1-min winds=75
Pressure=992Naomi was a Category 1 hurricane which dumped heavy rains throughout its path in Mexico and Texas after making landfall. Forming from a disturbance in the ITCZ on September 9, the storm rapidly intensified, becoming a hurricane shortly after being named.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] The hurricane eventually made a turn to the northeast, which took it to a landfall on Sinaloa near the town of Punta Piaxtla.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] There were no casualties from the hurricane, but a worker was injured when the roof of a plant they were working at collapsed from accumulated rainfall due to the interaction between Naomi and a frontal system over the Gulf Coast.cite web|year=1968|title=Rains Spread Northward, Legacy of Hurricane Naomi|publisher=Big Spring Daily Herald|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] The hurricane also was responsible for a panic involving the Lázaro Cardenás Dam, which was unfinished when the hurricane struck. Due in large part to the help of Automatic Picture Transmission technology, two towns downriver from the dam were saved when it was kept closed.cite web|year=1969|title=Benefits From Space: Dam Threatened|publisher=San Antonio Light|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Damage totals due to the hurricane are unavailable.

Tropical Storm Orla

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Orla 1968 track.pngFormed=September 22
Dissipated=September 30
1-min winds=50On September 21, satellite photography showed a cloud mass convert|150|mi|km|abbr=on in diameter and ship reports the next day showed a weak circulation that was producing showers, and the center of the system was put at an uncertain 16.5°N, 108.5°W. Four hours later, it was found that external banding associated with the disturbance had increased and that its size had grown to convert|175|mi|km|abbr=on, but any information on internal banding was unavailable, due to obscuring cirrus. On September 23, the disturbance was convert|125|mi|km|abbr=on southeast of Socorro Island, which reported a pressure drop of 5 mbar in 3 hours, which served as the basis for upgrading the disturbance to a tropical depression. Other information from Socorro included calm winds, low clouds, and a pressure of 1008 mbar. Despite advisories on the depression starting on September 23, best track data showed that the disturbance had been a depression for the duration of the previous day.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] Later that day, the depression strengthened to a tropical storm with winds of convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. Three hours after first being named, Orla began showing signs of an eye, and winds were operationally upgraded to convert|70|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on, though it was later found out that it never strengthened past convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. At this time, the area around the tropical storm was mostly clear due to a dry flow off of the mainland. A ship called the "Sapporo Maru" passed convert|75|mi|km|abbr=on north of the center reported swells of convert|9.5|ft|m|sing=on, but winds of only convert|25|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

By September 25, the eye and some of the external banding had disappeared. The storm then proceeded to shrink both in size and in intensity due to stable inflow, and an eye became apparent for the second time. Satellite images of the storm were the basis for the possibility that Orla was maintaining stability due to low-pressure baroclinical processes, an unusual characteristic due to the fact that such conditions are common to extratropical cyclones as opposed to tropical cyclones, which Orla was. By September 27, weakening had begun, and the tropical storm was downgraded to a depression on September 28 and a spiral cloud mass continued to be evident on satellite pictures until September 30, when the depression dissipated.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt]

Hurricane Pauline

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Pauline 1968 track.pngFormed=September 26
Dissipated=October 3
1-min winds=100
Pressure=1002The only tropical cyclone of the season with reported casualties, Pauline, formed from an ITCZ disturbance with an inverted-V shape. The disturbance was tracked for 24 hours, after which it was upgraded to a tropical depression on September 28, although post-analysis revealed the cyclone was a depression since September 26. A vortex developed in the center, helping the cyclone to intensify into a tropical storm on September 29 and the next day, it was upgraded to a hurricane. Pauline underwent an eyewall replacement cycle on October 1 to October 2 before making landfall on Ciudad Constitutión. The hurricane moved back over water, but lost tropical characteristics prior to a second landfall near Navojoa.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] Overall damage is unknown from the hurricane, but a boat with five occupants was reported missing during the passage of the hurricane over Magdalena Bay. The occupants were never found, and were reported dead as a result.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Hurricane Rebecca

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Rebecca 1968 track.pngFormed=October 6
Dissipated=October 11
1-min winds=75Rebecca was a small hurricane that approached within convert|75|mi|km|abbr=on of the Mexican coastline. Due to its formation and movement along heavy shipping lines, ships were forced to take detours to avoid running into the hurricane.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] The hurricane never actually reached land, though at one point a forecast for the hurricane gave the possibility for it to make a landfall on Baja California as a tropical depression.cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf] At the time, Rebecca drew comparisons to Hurricane Daisy of 1961 and Hurricane King of 1950 due to its intensity and size.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

The initial circulation developed in the ITCZ convert|500|mi|km|abbr=on south of Tehuantepec. A low organized along the area on October 4, but intensification didn't begin in full effect until the night of October 5. On October 6, the cyclone had organized enough to be considered a tropical depression and was uppgraded to a tropical storm later that day.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] The storm continued to intensify, causing ships to avoid the storm despite its location over heavy shipping lanes. A lack of reports on October 7 and October 8 led to the idea that the storm had made landfall. The error was revealed when a ship passing nearby reported that the storm had attained hurricane status, and a second ship gave a report that the hurricane had strengthened to a high-end Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale with a peak intensity estimate of Category 3 strength, making Rebecca the third hurricane of the season that possibly reached such an intensity. After reaching its peak, the hurricane moved westward until October 9, when a satellite picture gave a hint of the rapid decay the hurricane was about to face. The hurricane began to weaken, and by the time the cyclone neared Socorro Island late on October 9, it had weakened to a tropical storm.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] The island reported a pressure of 1010 mbar and calm winds, while the weakening storm was convert|80|mi|km|abbr=on north-northwest of the island. The storm weakened to a depression on October 10 and dissipated on October 11.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] No damages or casualties were reported from the hurricane.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Tropical Storm Simone

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac
Track=Simone 1968 track.pngFormed=October 18
Dissipated=October 19
1-min winds=45Simone was the last named cyclone this season to form from a disturbance in the ITCZ. A very short-lived storm, it rapidly formed from an area of squalls associated with the ITCZ close to the Guatemalan coast. Shortly after it formed, a ship called the "Villanger" reported winds of convert|45|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on to convert|50|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on along the northwest and southeast sections of a low center convert|30|mi|km|abbr=on in diameter, leading to the cyclone to be called Simone. The storm moved towards the north and shortly thereafter, the previous low moved over land, likely due to the lack of a source of energy. However, another center formed back over water to the northwest of the previous one, prolonging the life of the storm. The new center caused the storm to shift towards Tapachula, Mexico and travelled along the coastline until dissipation. With an estimated lifetime of only 24 hours, Simone was the shortest-lived tropical storm of 1968.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Although the system was originally missing from best track data, a revision proposed to NHC caused the storm to be reinserted with a peak intensity of convert|50|mi|km|abbr=on winds and a central pressure of 1005 mbar. The reason the winds were set at convert|50|mi|km|abbr=on was due to the high pressure of the storm, making it the most likely intensity equivalent, although some readings show that higher winds were reported from the storm. Another reason it was selected was due to it being used as a generic wind speed for tropical storms in the Pacific database.cite web|author=NOAA|year=2006|title=Recommended Changes to EPac HURDAT
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/metadataEPAC.html] Simone was a rare tropical storm which made landfall on Central America, a feat which only four other cyclones since 1966 have done. The most recent cyclone to do this was 2008's Alma. When it made landfall on Guatemala at peak intensity, Simone became the second strongest named storm at landfall on Central America, behind 2008's Alma, as well as the latest named storm to make landfall on Central America.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt]

Tropical Storm Tara

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac
Track=Tara 1968 track.pngFormed=October 20
Dissipated=October 28
1-min winds=45The final storm of the season developed from unknown origins, although there is a possibility that anticyclogenesis over Mexico that occurred after the dissipation of Simone may have played a part in the formation. When it was first noticed in satellite pictures on October 20 while convert|300|mi|km|abbr=on southwest of Acapulco, it was estimated to have already been a tropical storm with convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on, a peak intensity that was later downgraded in best track data to convert|50|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. The same picture also showed a compact central dense overcast spanning three degrees of latitude, cirrus outflow, and loose banding features. For the next two days, the storm became better defined while slowly growing larger. The intensifying Tara moved to the west at convert|12|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on to convert|14|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on before turning to the west-northwest at convert|12|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on on October 23. At the time of the west-northwest turn, satellite pictures picked up a separation of the cirrus cap, causing the storm to weaken. The system lasted as a weak tropical storm until October 27, when it was determined to have weakened to a depression, although the possibility exists that it had been a depression for days.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] The depression dissipated the next day, never affecting land.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] No ships near this storm reported winds of tropical storm strength.cite web|author=William J. Deney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2007-02-23|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Tropical Depressions

In addition to the twenty tropical storms to form this season, there were an additional six tropical depressions that formed, but did not reach storm strength.

Tropical Depression Two was an unusual depression that developed on June 21 at 18.5°N, 104°W between Mexico and the active Annette. The depression came close to landfall shortly before dissipating on June 22, when Annette also dissipated.cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf] The cyclone formed and remained less than 1° longitude from the more powerful tropical storm while in the proximity of land.cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf] The formation and impact of this depression are unknown due to a lack of data. This depression was unusual in that tropical cyclones rarely form within such close range to another cyclone in this basin.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2007|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] Two other cyclones with a similar characteristic were Tropical Storms Ione 1 and Ione 2 in 1970.

Tropical Depression Four was a short-lived cyclone that became the first tropical cyclone to enter the Central Pacific during the season. It formed on July 12 at 15.4°N, 133°W and moved in a general westward direction.cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf] At one point in its track, it moved west-southwestward, reaching 15°N when it made a slow turn to the west-northwest.cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf] The depression moved into the Central Pacific, where the depression dissipated on July 14, having never affected land.cite web|author=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=The 1968 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1968.php]

The next tropical depression, Eight, was only marginally longer-lived than the previous depression. The depression formed on July 30 at 15.4°N, 126°W. Initially moving west-southwestward, it eventually turned to a northwestward track, which it would move along until it dissipated on August 1 at 21.7°N, 141.2°W after being active for 60 hours.cite web|author=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|year=2006|title=The 1968 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1968.php] cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf]

Tropical Depression Eighteen was the only tropical cyclone formation to occur in the Central Pacific this season. It was first noticed in satellite pictures at 14.5°N, 162°W on August 29 and, after forming, moved to the northwest at a speed of convert|17|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on, crossing between Hawai'i and Johnston Atollcite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf] until dissipating on August 31 at 20.7°N, 173.3°W, having never affected land.cite web|author=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=The 1968 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season
accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1968.php] At the time, depressions were not assigned regional suffixes after forming. Had this depression been designated this way, it would have been Tropical Depression 01-C.

Tropical Depression Twenty-One was the longest lived depression. It formed on October 11 at 11.5°N, 94°W and moved slowly to the northwest before turning to the southwest. The depression dissipated on October 15 at 12.4°N, 99.4°W. It never affected land.cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf]

Tropical Depression Twenty-Two formed on October 15 at 12.5°N, 93.5°W, near the border between Mexico and Guatemala. The depression paralleled the Mexican coast until it dissipated on October 17 at 15.2°N, 99.3°W. No reports of damages or casualties have been reported in connection to this depression. Although the best track in the document done by JTWC shows the existence of this depression, a track map with depression tracks done by the same organization did not show a listing for this depression.cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=Summary of Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean For 1968|accessdate=2007-02-24|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/annexa.pdf] The reason is unknown.

1968 storm names

The following names were used for named storms that formed in the eastern Pacific in 1968. No names were retired, so it was used again in the 1972 season. This is the same list as list 1 used during 1960-1965.

The Central Pacific used names and numbers from the Western Pacific's typhoon list. No systems formed in the area, and thus no names were required, although one storm, Virginia, tracked in from the West Pacific, keeping its name.

ee also

* List of Pacific hurricanes
* 1968 Atlantic hurricane season
* 1968 Pacific typhoon season
* Pre-1980 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons
* Pre-1980 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons

References