The start of the weekend also marked the beginning of the 2010 hurricaneseason in the eastern Pacific. The season will run until Nov. 30, whichcoincides with the end of the hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin.The 2010 Atlantic Basin hurricane season does not get underway until June 1.

The earlier start time in the eastern Pacific reflects how this basin typicallyturns active faster than the Atlantic. On average, June 9 is when the firsttropical storm is named in the eastern Pacific. In the Atlantic, that date isJuly 10.

The first tropical storm to develop in the eastern Pacific this year willacquire the name "Agatha." The basin, however, is currently quiet.

Hurricanes typically develop much quicker in the eastern Pacific than theAtlantic. The average first date for a hurricane to form in the eastern Pacificis June 24, but not until Aug. 14 in the Atlantic.

The eastern Pacific is historically the most active of the two basins. Onaverage, 15 tropical storms are named each season. Out of those, nine becomehurricanes with four reaching major hurricane status.

Despite the eastern Pacific being rather active, the majority of tropicalstorms and hurricanes never threaten land. A typical eastern Pacific tropicalsystem will head westward into the open and progressively cooler waters of thePacific, dissipating in the process.

Occasionally, tropical storms and hurricanes will target Mexico and parts ofcentral America. Though less frequently, some tropical systems have passedthrough Hawaii. Hurricane Felicia approached Hawaii last year, but weakenedbelow tropical depression status prior to reaching the islands.

Since records began, the cool water that lies offshore of California hasprotected the state from direct hits from tropical storms and hurricanes everyseason but one. In September 1939, an unnamed tropical storm pressed onshore atLong Beach, Calif., with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

Two other storms have moved into Arizona at tropical storm strength. The firstwas once-Hurricane Joanne in October 1972, followed by once-Hurricane Kathleenin September 1976.

No systems have reached the Southwest at hurricane strength.

Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski