1968 Atlantic hurricane season
| 1968 Atlantic hurricane season |
Season summary map
|
| Seasonal boundaries |
| First system formed |
June 1, 1968 |
| Last system dissipated |
October 21, 1968 |
| Strongest storm |
|
| Name |
Gladys |
| • Maximum winds |
85 mph (140 km/h)
(1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure |
965 mbar (hPa; 28.5 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics |
| Total depressions |
10 |
| Total storms |
8 |
| Hurricanes |
4 |
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+) |
0 |
| Total fatalities |
17 |
| Total damage |
$21.8 million (1968 USD) |
|
|
Atlantic hurricane seasons
1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970
|
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
June 1 – June 13 |
| Peak intensity |
75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min) 992 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
June 17 – June 26 |
| Peak intensity |
75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min) 990 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
June 22 – June 25 |
| Peak intensity |
70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min) 996 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 10 – August 17 |
| Peak intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) 985 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 11 – September 19 |
| Peak intensity |
65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min) 1005 mbar (hPa) |
| Subtropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 14 – September 23 |
| Peak intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) 979 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 23 – September 29 |
| Peak intensity |
60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) 1001 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
October 13 – October 21 |
| Peak intensity |
85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min) 965 mbar (hPa) |
The 1968 Atlantic hurricane season was one of five Atlantic hurricane seasons during the satellite era not to feature a major hurricane, the others being 1972, 1986, 1994, and 2013. The season officially began on June 1 and lasted until November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. It was a below average season in terms of tropical storms, with a total of eight nameable storms. The first system, Hurricane Abby, developed in the northwestern Caribbean Sea on June 1. Abby moved northward and struck Cuba, bringing heavy rainfall and flooding to western portions of the island. Making landfall in Florida on June 4, Abby caused flooding and spawned four tornadoes, but left behind little damage. Overall, the hurricane resulted in six deaths and about $450,000 (1968 USD) in damage. In late June, Tropical Storm Candy brought minor flooding and spawned several tornadoes across portions of the Southern United States. Overall damage from the cyclone reached approximately $2.7 million.
Despite three named storms in June, cyclone activity slowed throughout the subsequent month, with only one tropical depression. During late August and early September, Tropical Depression Eleven brought flooding to the Jacksonville area of Florida. Hurricane Gladys, the final and also the strongest named storm of the season, developed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on October 13. Peaking as a Category 1 on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, the system resulted in flooding across western Cuba, particularly in Havana, where the storm caused six deaths and about $12 million in damage. Rough seas, gusty winds, tornadoes, and heavy rainfall resulted in generally minor impact in Florida, with three fatalities and damage totaling $6.7 million. Gladys also provided relief for one of North Carolina's worst droughts. Several other storms left negligible impact on land. Overall, the storms of the season collectively caused approximately $21.8 million in damage and killed 17 people.
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Wikipedia
