Hurricane Paloma
| Category 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Hurricane Paloma approaching Cuba shortly after peak intensity on November 8
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| Formed | November 5, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | November 14, 2008 |
| (Remnant low after November 10) | |
| Highest winds |
1-minute sustained: 145 mph (230 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 944 mbar (hPa); 27.88 inHg |
| Fatalities | 1 total |
| Damage | $454.5 million (2008 USD) |
| Areas affected | Central America, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Bahamas, Florida |
| Part of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Paloma was the third-strongest November Atlantic hurricane on record. It was the sixteenth tropical storm, eighth hurricane and fifth major hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. A late season hurricane, it set several records for its intensity and formation. Paloma was the third most powerful November hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin, behind only a 1932 hurricane and 1999's Lenny. It also marked the first time that at least one major hurricane formed in every month of the hurricane season from July to November, with only June not having a major hurricane this season.
Paloma developed out of a strong tropical disturbance off the eastern coast of Nicaragua and northern coast of Honduras on November 5. The disturbance had slowly developed into a tropical depression while hugging the coastline. The depression strengthened into a tropical storm early on November 6, then a hurricane later that day. The next day, Paloma intensified into a Category 2 hurricane then soon a Category 3. Early on November 8, Paloma continued to intensify and reached Category 4 intensity, and then weakened rapidly into a Category 2 before making landfall in Santa Cruz del Sur, Cuba. Paloma weakened into a tropical storm on November 9 while moving over Cuba, where it stalled out. It dissipated later that evening. Hurricane Paloma caused heavy damage in both the Cayman Islands and Cuba. Damages in the Caymans amounted to $154.4 million (USD), and damage in Cuba totaled to $300 million, and $100,000 in damage to Jamaica, for a total of $454.5 million, with one fatality.
In early November 2008, an area of disturbed weather persisted over the southwestern Caribbean Sea. By November 2, a surface trough manifested itself, spurring the development of scattered convection — shower and thunderstorm activity — across the region. A tropical wave approaching from the east interacted with this trough two days later and enhanced convective organization. Steadily consolidating, the system developed into a tropical depression by 18:00 UTC on November 5 while located 130 mi (215 km) southeast of the Nicaragua/Honduras border. Situated along the southwestern edge of a ridge, the depressed initially generally to the north-northwest before turning north-northeast within 12 hours of formation. Favorable environmental conditions, including low wind shear, allowed for steady intensification following cyclogenesis. The HWRF and GFDL forecast models depicted rapid development of the depression into a major hurricane within five days before striking Cuba, the former of which indicated a peak intensity of 131 mph (211 km/h) and 921 mbar (hPa; 27.20 inHg). The system acquired gale-force winds early on November 6, at which time it was assigned the name Paloma. Aided by good upper-level outflow, deep convection blossomed over the storm's circulation. Further development of banding features and eye resulted in Paloma rapidly intensifying into a hurricane by 00:00 UTC on November 7.
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