Omeka — 2010

The system that became Omeka began as a non-tropical low just west of the International Date Line on 16 December 2010. It gradually strengthened and became a subtropical depression on 18 December, then a subtropical storm later that day. The storm crossed the Date Line several times, acquired tropical characteristics, and was designated Tropical Storm Omeka by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center after it moved east of the Date Line on 20 December. Omeka moved generally south and then northeast, weakened as it encountered stronger wind shear and cooler waters, and became extratropical by 21 December. The circulation dissipated by 22–23 December. Omeka did not make any landfalls as a tropical cyclone. Shortly before 0900 UTC 21 December the post-tropical low passed Lisianski Island in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands (part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument) with sustained winds around 35 kt (about 40 mph), but no coastal watches or warnings were required and there were no reports of damage. The storm’s maximum sustained winds reached about 50 kt (approximately 58 mph) on 19 December, with the lowest analyzed central pressure near 997 mb around 20 December. At peak intensity the system was a tropical storm, not a hurricane. Measured storm surge and rainfall impacts were negligible; the report notes no surge or rainfall totals causing damage at populated islands or main Hawaiian Islands. The only specific nearby land interaction was the passage of the now extra-tropical low near Lisianski Island on 21 December, with gusting winds but no reported surge or heavy rain impacts at named cities or counties. There were no confirmed deaths, direct or indirect, and no reports of damage or injuries associated with Omeka. Noteworthy aspects of Omeka include its unusual December timing — the first tropical cyclone in the Central Pacific in December since 1997 and the latest-forming tropical storm east of the Date Line in the reliable satellite era — and its development from a non-tropical origin. Forecasters issued no coastal warnings, and track and intensity forecasts and verification are documented in the official report.