Storm history › East Pacific › 1978 season
Hurricane Rita (1978)
Rita was a Category 5 hurricane of the 1978 East Pacific season. It was tracked from October 15, 1978 to October 30, 1978, about 15 days, and covered 5,427 miles.
At its peak it had winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a lowest pressure of 880 mb.
Its closest pass to a major city was 17 miles from Nha Trang, Vietnam.
Its peak winds rank 7th of 1,371 East Pacific storms on record.
- Peak wind
- 175 mph
- Lowest pressure
- 880 mb
- Strongest
- Category 5 hurricane
- Duration
- 15 days
- Track length
- 5,427 mi
- Energy (ACE)
- 49.4
DepressionTropical stormCat 1Cat 2Cat 3Cat 4Cat 5
Closest pass to major cities
| City | Closest pass |
|---|---|
| Nha Trang, Vietnam | 17 mi (28 km) |
| Angeles City, Philippines | 42 mi (68 km) |
| Marikina City, Philippines | 54 mi (87 km) |
| Antipolo, Philippines | 55 mi (89 km) |
| Buôn Ma Thuột, Vietnam | 56 mi (90 km) |
| Valenzuela, Philippines | 56 mi (90 km) |
| Quezon City, Philippines | 56 mi (90 km) |
How it compares
- Peak winds: 7th highest of 1,371 East Pacific storms on record, tied with Hurricane John (1994), Hurricane Patsy (1959).
- Lowest pressure: 2nd lowest of 808 East Pacific storms with a recorded pressure.
- Energy: 20% of the 1978 East Pacific season's ACE.