Hurricane Douglas (2002)

Hurricane Douglas was the fifth tropical depression and second hurricane of the 2002 Pacific hurricane season. Douglas originated from a westward-traveling tropical wave that moved across the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. After crossing into the Pacific Ocean, the wave spawned a small low-pressure system on July 20, 2002, which matured into a tropical depression later that day. The depression soon intensified into a tropical storm, and received the name "Douglas" while continuing its westward track. Two days later, it intensified into a Category 2 hurricane. Within four days, the cyclone weakened to a Category 1 hurricane and ultimately degenerated into a remnant low. Because the storm remained far out at sea, no damage was reported in association with Douglas. It dissipated during the morning of July 26, 2002.

Meteorological history
A tropical wave exited the west coast of Africa on July 8 and crossed the Atlantic without much development. In the Caribbean, showers increased, but wind shear prevented development. The wave crossed into the eastern Pacific on July 16, and wind shear decreased to allow the convection to organize. Tropical Depression Five-E developed on July 20 about 395 mi south of Manzanillo, Mexico. At that time, gradual strengthening was anticipated. The depression quickly intensified into Tropical Storm Douglas. Around that time, most of the deep convection was situated south of the atmospheric circulation. Initially, Douglas was expected to become a hurricane only briefly. Late on July 21, the NHC reported that Douglas had became a hurricane. Upon becoming a hurricane, Douglas was situated in low wind shear environment; however, Hurricane Douglas was expected to reach cold waters in 36 hours, and thus was not predicted to become a major hurricane. Douglas became a Category 2 hurricane on July 22, reaching peak winds of 105 mph. Douglas held this intensity for 18 hours as it traveled westward. When Douglas weakened from its peak intensity, it had an organized cloud pattern, but the thunderstorm activity was weakening, typical of most Pacific hurricanes that reach cooler waters. The weakening briefly stopped after Douglas went through an eyewall replacement cycle, but Douglas was downgraded to a tropical storm late on July 24 as the storm only had a small area of deep convection left. Tropical storm Douglas briefly stopped weakening as convection increased, only to fade away again hours later. The storm was downgraded to a tropical depression early on July 26, and later that day degenerated into a remnant low pressure area. The remnant low dissipated the next day.

Impact
Because Hurricane Douglas formed away from land, no hurricane watches or warnings were issued. The storm caused no damage.