1988 Atlantic hurricane season
| 1988 Atlantic hurricane season |
Season summary map
|
| Seasonal boundaries |
| First system formed |
May 30, 1988 |
| Last system dissipated |
November 26, 1988 |
| Strongest storm |
|
| Name |
Gilbert (Most intense hurricane in the Atlantic basin at the time)
|
| • Maximum winds |
185 mph (295 km/h)
(1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure |
888 mbar (hPa; 26.22 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics |
| Total depressions |
19 |
| Total storms |
12 |
| Hurricanes |
5 |
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+) |
3 |
| Total fatalities |
550 |
| Total damage |
$7 billion (1988 USD) |
| Related article |
|
|
Atlantic hurricane seasons
1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990
|
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
May 30 – June 2 |
| Peak intensity |
30 mph (45 km/h) (1-min) 1002 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 5 – August 8 |
| Peak intensity |
40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min) 1002 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 8 – August 10 |
| Peak intensity |
50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 1001 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 12 – August 15 |
| Peak intensity |
30 mph (45 km/h) (1-min) 1012 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 20 – September 1 |
| Peak intensity |
35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min) 1006 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 20 – August 23 |
| Peak intensity |
35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min) 1006 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 21 – August 30 |
| Peak intensity |
50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 1005 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 31 – September 8 |
| Peak intensity |
75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min) 987 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 3 – September 5 |
| Peak intensity |
65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min) 994 mbar (hPa) |
The 1988 Atlantic hurricane season was a moderately active season that proved costly and deadly, with 15 tropical cyclones directly affecting land. The season officially began on June 1, 1988, and lasted until November 30, 1988, although activity began on May 30 when a tropical depression developed in the Caribbean Sea. The June through November dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first cyclone to attain tropical storm status was Alberto on August 8, nearly a month later than usual. The final storm of the year, Tropical Storm Keith, became extratropical on November 24.
The season produced 19 tropical depressions of which 12 attained tropical storm status. One tropical storm was operationally classified as a tropical depression but was reclassified in post-analysis. Five tropical cyclones reached hurricane status of which three became major hurricanes reaching Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.
The most notable cyclone of the season was Hurricane Gilbert, which at the time was the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record. The hurricane tracked through the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico and caused devastation in Mexico and many island nations, particularly Jamaica. Its passage caused US$5 billion in damage (1988 USD; $10.1 billion 2017 USD) and more than 300 deaths, mostly in Mexico. Hurricane Joan, striking Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane, caused about US$2 billion in damage (1988 USD; $4.05 billion 2017 USD) and more than 200 deaths. The hurricane crossed into the eastern Pacific Ocean and was reclassified as Tropical Storm Miriam.
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Wikipedia
