Landfall vs. Direct Impact: Why the Difference Matters So Much

The surge of tropical weather activity in the Pacific provides a good illustration of the difference between a landfall and direct impacts. This is what you need to know about these two terms.

Tropical Weather Does Not Have to Make Landfall to Produce Severe Impacts

Many people focus on whether a tropical storm or hurricane is making a direct impact when assessing the potential hazards. However, a storm can remain well offshore and still cause what is known as "direct impacts."

A hurricane makes landfall when the center of the system comes ashore. This landfall is tied to a specific location. But the storm's dangerous winds, rain, storm surge, and rough seas extend far out from the center or point of landfall. A forecast track only follows the path of the center of the storm, rather than the full scope of the dangers.

The recent Hurricane Lowell is a good example of a storm that did not make landfall but still caused significant damage to the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Lowell unleashed 21.1 inches of rain at Kilohana and winds that eclipsed the 90-mph barrier, despite the center of the storm never crossing the coast.