1988 Atlantic hurricane season

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1988 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Season summary map
First storm formed: May 30, 1988
Last storm dissipated: November 24, 1988
Strongest storm: Gilbert - 888 mbar (hPa) (26.23 inHg), 185 mph (295 km/h)
Total depressions: 19
Total storms: 12
Hurricanes: 5
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+): 3
Total fatalities: 550
Total damage: $7 billion (1988 USD)
$12.8 billion (2008 USD)
Atlantic hurricane seasons
1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990

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.[1] 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 (equivalent to about US$9 billion in 2007) and more than 300 deaths, mostly in Mexico. Hurricane Joan, striking Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane, caused about US$2 billion in damage (US$3.5 billion in 2007) and more than 200 deaths. The hurricane crossed into the eastern Pacific Ocean and was reclassified as Tropical Storm Miriam.

Contents

[edit] Season summary

[edit] Preseason forecasts

Predictions of tropical activity in the 1988 season
Source Date Named
storms		 Hurricanes Major
hurricanes
CSU [2] June 11 7 Unknown
Record high activity 28 15 8
Record low activity 1 0 (tie) 0
Actual activity 12 5 3

Forecasts of hurricane activity are issued before each hurricane season by noted hurricane experts such as Dr. William M. Gray and his associates at Colorado State University. A normal season as defined by NOAA has six to fourteen named storms of which four to eight reach hurricane strength and one to three become major hurricanes. The June 1988 forecast was that eleven storms would form and that seven would reach hurricane status. The forecast did not specify how many hurricanes would reach major hurricane status. [2]

[edit] Season activity

The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1,[1] but activity in 1988 began two days earlier with the formation of Tropical Depression One on May 30. It was an above average season in which 19 tropical depressions formed.[3] Twelve depressions attained tropical storm status, and five of these attained hurricane status. For the first time in 27 years three hurricanes reached major hurricane status. Four hurricanes and three tropical storms made landfall during the season and caused 550 deaths and $7 billion in damage (1988 USD, $12 billion 2007 USD).[4] The last storm of the season, Tropical Storm Keith, dissipated on November 14,[4] only 16 days before the official end of the season on November 30.[1]

The activity in the first two months of the season was limited because of strong wind shear from an upper tropospheric flow. Although vigorous tropical waves moved off the coast of Africa, most quickly diminished in intensity as they crossed the tropical Atlantic Ocean. As a result, no tropical depressions formed in June or July. Decreased wind shear in August allowed tropical waves to develop into tropical cyclones.[3] The official storm track forecast errors were 30 to 40 percent lower than the average for the previous 10 years.[4] The 24-, 48-, and 72-hour forecasts were the most accurate in more than 18 years and were also more accurate than in each subsequent season until 1996.[5]

[edit] Storms

Timeline of tropical activity in 1988 Atlantic hurricane season

[edit] Tropical Depression One

Tropical depression (SSHS)
TD1 30 may 1988 1251Z.jpg
Duration May 30—June 2
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min), 1000 mbar (hPa)

The first tropical depression of the season formed on May 30 in the northwest Caribbean Sea. The system encountered unfavorable conditions as it moved northward toward Cuba, and a reconnaissance airplane sent to investigate it could not find a well-defined center.[6] The depression remained weak and degenerated on June 2 into an open trough of low pressure in the Florida Straits.[3]

The depression and its precursor disturbance dropped heavy rainfall across Cuba for about one week,[7] peaking at 40.35 inches (1025 mm), including a daily peak of 34.13 inches (867 mm). Based on records dating to 1963, this was the third highest known rainfall total from a tropical cyclone in the country.[8] The rainfall most affected the province of Cienfuegos, though the provinces of Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, and Camagüey were also impacted.[9] The depression also spawned a tornado in the city of Camagüey and destroyed five Soviet planes and multiple buildings.[10] Flooding prompted officials to use rescue crews, helicopters, and amphibious vehicles to evacuate 65,000 residents in low lying areas to higher grounds.[10] The storm left many without power and communications, severely damaged the country's transportation infrastructure, and destroyed six bridges.[10] Flooding from the depression damaged 1,000 houses and destroyed 200 homes in Camagüey Province alone.[11] The weather service in the province considered it the worst flooding since Hurricane Flora struck the country in 1963.[12] Throughout Cuba, the depression affected about 90,000 people, injuring dozens[13] and killing a total of 37 people,[9] including three who died from electrocution.[10] In response to the severe flooding, the Red Cross of the Soviet Union assisted the central provinces by sending medical units, tents, blankets, and other necessary items by plane.[14] In Florida, the depression produced light rain, including 3.18 inches (81 mm) (81 mm) at Pompano Beach.[15]

[edit] Tropical Storm Alberto

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Alberto 07 aug 1988 1242Z.jpg Alberto 1988 track.png
Duration August 5—August 8
Intensity 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min), 1002 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Tropical Storm Alberto (1988)

The season's first named storm originated on August 4 within a weak trough of low pressure that formed off the coast of South Carolina. The next day a low level circulation was detected by satellite, indicating that a tropical depression was forming. By August 6 the storm was designated the second tropical depression of the season.[4] An approaching weak frontal trough pushed the depression northeastward and enhanced its upper level outflow. On August 7 the system was designated Tropical Storm Alberto while located just south of Nantucket, Massachusetts.[16]

At 41.5° N Alberto became a tropical storm further north than any other Atlantic tropical cyclone since reliable tropical cyclone observation began in 1941.[17] The storm accelerated northeastward at 25 knots (46 km/h) and struck western Nova Scotia that evening with little impact.[16][18] On August 8 Alberto became extratropical over the cold waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Shortly thereafter it dissipated just north of Newfoundland. Alberto produced light rainfall and gusty winds along its path. No significant damage associated with the system was reported.[16]

[edit] Tropical Storm Beryl

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Beryl 09 aug 1988 1339Z.jpg Beryl 1988 track.png
Duration August 8—August 10
Intensity 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min), 1001 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Tropical Storm Beryl (1988)

The third tropical depression of the season formed on August 7 from a surface low over southeastern Louisiana. The slow moving system organized as it drifted toward the mouth of the Mississippi River. It soon had enough convective organization for the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to issue an initial advisory on Tropical Depression Three.[19] By August 8 surface winds increased enough to issue tropical storm warnings for Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.[4] Over the open Gulf, Beryl produced sustained winds of minimal tropical storm force and tropical storm force gusts over coastal Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.[20] Excessive rain fell along the central Gulf Coast, including local amounts of 16 inches (406 mm) at Dauphin Island, Alabama.[21]

Maintaining a well structured outflow, Beryl's circulation on August 9 moved over warm water, where conditions were favorable for further intensification. However, a front approached from the northwest and reversed the storm's course into southeastern Louisiana.[21] The next morning Beryl had weakened to a tropical depression as it moved over the Bayou Teche. Heavy downpours from system's remnants brought more than 12 inches (305 mm) of rain to parts of eastern Texas. Overall damage from the storm was light, and only one known death was attributed to the storm.[22]

[edit] Tropical Depression Four

Tropical depression (SSHS)
TD 4 12 aug 1988 2024Z.jpg
Duration August 12—August 15
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min), Pressure unknown

On August 12 a westward-moving tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Four near the southern Bahamas. The depression tracked north-northwest along Florida's coast and made landfall near Jacksonville, Florida, the next day.[23][3] The system spawned gusty winds and thunderstorms along the coasts of Florida and Georgia but caused little damage.[23] The storm moved over south Georgia and the central Gulf Coast while dropping up to seven inches (178 mm) of rain on the Southeast.[24] According to the National Weather Service, winds in some squalls to the north and east of the center reached up to 50 mph (80 km/h).[25] The system finally dissipated as it reemerged over water near the mouth of the Mississippi.

Early predictions from hurricane forecasters said that the depression would strengthen into the season's third tropical storm.[26] Because of unfavorable upper level conditions and interaction with Bahama islands, the system lost its well defined center as it moved towards Florida's east coast.[23]

[edit] Tropical Depression Five

Tropical depression (SSHS)
TD 5 21 aug 1988 1701Z.jpg
Duration August 20—August 31
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min), Pressure unknown

A tropical wave in the far eastern Atlantic developed into the fifth tropical depression on August 20. The storm drifted north-northwest of the Cape Verde islands for the next three days with little change in strength.[3] Forecasters were concerned because the depression formed in the breeding ground where other powerful East Coast hurricanes have started. Though the storm was still very weak, they initially predicted it would strengthen.[27]

By August 24 the depression's forward speed had increased to 15 mph (25 km/h) as its movement turned west. Cool ocean temperatures weakened the system and diminished its prospects for restrengthening,[28] and on August 26 Tropical Depression Five degenerated into a tropical wave. The remnants redeveloped on August 30 about 180 miles (290 km) southeast of North Carolina,[3] and the Washington office of the National Weather Service continued to track the system as a gale center until it merged with a front off the East Coast on September 1.

[edit] Tropical Depression Six

Tropical depression (SSHS)
TD 6 21 aug 1988 2023Z.jpg
Duration August 20—August 23
Intensity 30 mph (45 km/h) (1-min), Pressure unknown

Tropical Depression Six developed from a tropical wave that moved off the northwest African coast on August 12. The system crossed the tropical Atlantic as a wave until it began organizing near 55° W on August 19.[29] The next day this system was designated a tropical depression while it approached the Windward Islands. After crossing the islands, the depression continued westward into the central Caribbean and encountered less-favorable conditions.[30] Though poorly organized on August 21, the depression was expected to strengthen into a tropical storm over the western Caribbean's warmer waters. Nevertheless, it was downgraded to a tropical wave at 80° W near the island of Jamaica on August 23.[31] The disturbance moved over Central America with minimal convection but redeveloped into Hurricane Kristy once it reached the eastern Pacific.[29] The system's main effect on land was squally weather on the Windward Islands.[3]

[edit] Tropical Storm Chris

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Chris 28 aug 1988 1330Z.jpg Chris 1988 track.png
Duration August 21—August 30
Intensity 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min), 1005 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Tropical Storm Chris (1988)

Chris formed from a strong tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa on August 15. By August 21 convection in the northern part of the wave detached and organized into Tropical Depression Seven.[32] The storm tracked westward along the southern periphery of a subtropical high pressure ridge over the mid-Atlantic.[4] For the next seven days, surface and reconnaissance observations found little evidence that the storm was strengthening. As a result, it remained a tropical depression as it moved across portions of the Lesser and Greater Antilles as well as the Bahamas.

The depression passed south of Puerto Rico on August 24 and dumped more than 14 inches (356 mm) of rain on parts of the island.[33] Three deaths in Puerto Rico were attributed to the weather.[34] On August 28 the storm was upgraded to Tropical Storm Chris as it traveled northward just offshore of Florida. It made landfall near Savannah, Georgia, bringing light wind and rain damage to the area.[34] Weakening to a depression, Chris poured heavy rains on South Carolina, where it merged with a cold front and became extratropical. The low accelerated over the Eastern Seaboard through Nova Scotia and finally dissipated on August 30.[33] Heavy thunderstorms spawned a tornado in South Carolina that resulted in another death.[35]

[edit] Hurricane Debby

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Debby 02 sept 1988 2138.jpg Debby 1988 track.png
Duration August 31—September 8
Intensity 75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min), 987 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Debby (1988)

Debby formed from the southern part of a tropical wave that became Tropical Storm Chris. In the mid-tropical Atlantic, the northern area of convection detached and became Tropical Depression Seven. The southern portion continued moving westward as a disorganized area of showers.[4] The system did not develop until the low-level center emerged from the Yucatán into the Bay of Campeche on August 31. It is estimated that the storm became Tropical Depression Eight just offshore at around 12 p.m. local time.[32]

Drifting west-northwest over the Gulf of Mexico, the depression organized and reached tropical storm-strength early on September 2. Later that day, based on observations from aircraft reconnaissance, Debby was upgraded to a hurricane.[32] At peak intensity, the hurricane's center was just 30 miles (50 km) from the coast. With little change in intensity, Debby made landfall near Tuxpan, Veracruz, six hours later.[32] The storm brought high winds, inland flooding, and mudslides and caused 10 deaths.[36]

Debby weakened considerably over the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains, although the remnants continued moving across Mexico. The tight center tracked towards the Pacific coast and reemerged near Manzanillo on September 5. Upon entering the Eastern Pacific, the system became Tropical Depression Seventeen-E before dissipating in the Gulf of California on September 8.[4]

[edit] Tropical Storm Ernesto

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Ernesto 04 sept 1988 1753Z.jpg Ernesto 1988 track.png
Duration September 3—September 5
Intensity 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min), 994 mbar (hPa)

On September 2 a cluster of thunderstorms associated with a northwestward-moving tropical wave developed a surface low near Bermuda. Though the surface low remained poorly defined and separate from the convection, the system became a tropical depression on September 3.[37] Under the influence of southwesterlies, the depression accelerated northeastward at 50 mph (80 km/h). Late on September 3 it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Ernesto. The storm continued to strengthen as it lost tropical characteristics.[38] A large extratropical storm over the North Atlantic absorbed Ernesto on September 5.

Throughout its life, Ernesto remained at sea and brought strong winds to the open waters of the ocean. The only land area affected by the storm was in the Azores, where it brought near storm-force winds to Flores Island.[4] No damage or casualties were reported.[37]

[edit] Tropical Depression Ten

Tropical depression (SSHS)
TD 10 03 sept 1988 1439Z.jpg
Duration September 3—September 4
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min), Pressure unknown

A broad low pressure area formed in the western Gulf of Mexico on September 2 and quickly developed through the next day. By September 3 convection was organized enough to declare the system a tropical depression about 160 miles (260 km) west-southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana.[39] Forecasters issued tropical storm warnings for the coast from Cameron, Louisiana, to Apalachicola, Florida, while the storm moved rapidly northeastward at 15 to 20 mph (32 km/h).[3] However, the depression degenerated a few hours later when it merged with the cold front that had caused its acceleration. Oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico reported winds gusts to 40 mph (64 km/h), and moderate to heavy rains drenched large portions of southeast Texas and Louisiana.[3] The wave dampened over the next 24 hours and brought heavy rain to the rest of the southeast, including a maximum of 8.4 inches (210 mm) in Biloxi, Mississippi.[40] No major damage was reported.

[edit] Hurricane Florence

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Florence 09 sept 1988 2203Z.jpg Florence 1988 track.png
Duration September 7—September 11
Intensity 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), 983 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Florence (1988)

A cloud band accompanying a cold front exited the coast of Texas into the Gulf of Mexico on September 4. The band split into two over the central Gulf when the southern portion stalled and the northern portion developed into a frontal wave that tracked northeastward.[41] Convection over the southern portion increased and wrapped around the center of the cloud band. On September 7 the system formed a surface circulation, and tropical depression advisories began that day.

The depression drifted eastward under the influence of the dissipating frontal trough and intensified into Tropical Storm Florence, as confirmed by Hurricane Hunters.[41] The storm turned northward on September 9 and accelerated toward the northern Gulf Coast under the influence of a mid- to upper-level trough. Florence became a hurricane just hours before landfall on the western Mississippi Delta.[4] The storm rapidly weakened over southeastern Louisiana and lost all its deep convection as it passed over the New Orleans area. Florence became a depression on September 10 near Baton Rouge and dissipated the next day over northeast Texas.[41]

Early in its duration the system dropped moderate amounts of rainfall across the Yucatán Peninsula.[42] Upon striking Louisiana, storm surge water levels rose moderately above normal just east of where the center moved ashore.[43] Gusty winds caused power outages to more than 100,000 people. In Alabama one man died while trying to secure his boat. Rainfall from the hurricane caused severe river flooding in portions of the Florida Panhandle in an area already severely affected by heavy rainfall, and the flooding damaged or destroyed dozens of houses in Santa Rosa County.[44]

[edit] Hurricane Gilbert

Category 5 hurricane (SSHS)
Gilbert 13 sept 1988 2117Z.jpg Gilbert 1988 track.png
Duration September 8—September 20
Intensity 185 mph (295 km/h) (1-min), 888 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Gilbert

The 12th tropical depression formed just east of the Lesser Antilles on September 8. As it moved west-northwest, it became Tropical Storm Gilbert over the islands on September 9. The tropical storm turned west and rapidly intensified to a major hurricane on September 11. Gilbert continued to strengthen as it brushed the southern coast of Hispaniola. It passed directly over Jamaica as a Category 3 hurricane and brought torrential rains to the island's mountainous areas. When the center reemerged over water, Gilbert rapidly intensified again. On September 13 the central pressure dropped 72 millibars (mbar) (hPa), the fastest deepening of an Atlantic hurricane on record until Hurricane Wilma.[45] Gilbert's pressure of 888 mbar (hPa) at the time was the lowest sea level pressure ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere.[46]

Gilbert weakened slightly before landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula, although it struck at Category 5 strength. As the eye moved over land, the storm rapidly lost strength, reemerging on September 15 in the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane. Hurricane Gilbert continued its northwest track and restrengthened to a minimal Category 4 hurricane. On September 16 Gilbert made its final landfall in northeast Mexico near the town of La Pesca with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (201 km/h). The center passed south of Monterrey, Mexico, on September 17 and brought heavy flooding to the city. Gilbert's remnants turned north and eventually merged with a developing frontal low pressure system over Missouri.[46]

Hurricane Gilbert was the most intense hurricane ever observed in the Atlantic basin until Hurricane Wilma broke this record in 2005.[45] The storm caused $5 billion (1988 USD) in damage across the Caribbean and into Central America. Gilbert was the first hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica since Hurricane Charlie in 1951. Until 2007's Hurricane Dean, it was also the most recent storm to make landfall as a Category 5 hurricane in Mexico. The death toll from Gilbert was reported to be 318 people, mostly from Mexico.[47]

[edit] Unnamed Tropical Storm

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Tropical Storm Six 08 sept 1988 1704Z.jpg 1988 Atlantic tropical storm 6 track.png
Duration September 7—September 10
Intensity 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min), 994 mbar (hPa)

A well-organized disturbance moved off the African coast on September 6 and rapidly developed into Tropical Depression Thirteen. The NHC began issuing advisories on September 8 while it was 350 miles (560 km) northeast of the Cape Verde Islands. An after-the-fact review of satellite and ship reports indicated that the depression reached tropical storm-strength on September 7.[48][49] However, because of its extreme eastern track, the storm's observational track did not include this information.

For three days a large trough of low pressure south of the system steered it north-northwest towards cooler waters. Moderate to heavy rain was reported along the west coast of Africa, but no damage was reported.[48] The system eventually weakened and merged with the low pressure trough. This unnamed storm was later added to the list of tropical storms in the annual summary for the Atlantic hurricane season.[4]

[edit] Hurricane Helene

Category 4 hurricane (SSHS)
Helene 23 sept 1988 1042Z.jpg Helene 1988 track.png
Duration September 19—September 30
Intensity 145 mph (230 km/h) (1-min), 938 mbar (hPa)

A well-organized tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 15. Showers and gusty winds were observed as the disturbance moved over the Cape Verde Islands on September 17.[50] Over the following days convective activity increased over the system while strong ridging over the eastern Atlantic forced the system westward.[4] Based on satellite imagery, the system was designated a tropical depression on September 19 and Tropical Storm Helene on September 20.

When it reached the mid-Atlantic, Helene's track turned northwest under the influence of a major trough.[50] Favorable conditions allowed the storm to deepen at a moderate rate. On September 21 Helene became a hurricane over the mid-tropical Atlantic. The storm deepened further, reaching major hurricane status late on September 22 and Category 4 intensity on the following day.[51]

On September 23 Helene turned northward under a secondary trough and continued moving in that direction for the next week. The hurricane gradually weakened to a minimal hurricane over the next several days. It approached the southern boundary of a strong jetstream on the September 28, which enhanced the storm's outflow and briefly restrengthened it.[52] Helene's forward speed increased to 60 mph (97 km/h) on September 30 as the hurricane became extratropical over the north Atlantic. Observed as a hurricane for nine days via satellite, Helene was the longest-lived hurricane of the 1988 Atlantic season.[4]

[edit] Tropical Depression Fifteen

Tropical depression (SSHS)
TD 15 27 sept 1988 1657Z.jpg
Duration September 27—September 28
Intensity 30 mph (45 km/h) (1-min), Pressure unknown

While Hurricane Helene was spinning in the central Atlantic, a tropical wave that moved off the coast of Africa in late September rapidly organized. On September 27 the storm became the 15th tropical depression of the season while it was about 265 miles (426 km) south-southeast of the Cape Verde Islands.[53] The depression tracked westward at 15 to 20 mph (32 km/h) but weakened rapidly. The next day it was downgraded to a tropical wave while still in the far eastern Atlantic.[3] The system remained far from any landmasses throughout its life.

[edit] Tropical Storm Isaac

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Isaac 30 sept 1988 1947Z.jpg Isaac 1988 track.png
Duration September 28—October 1
Intensity 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min), 1005 mbar (hPa)

Isaac originated as a disturbance near the western coast of Africa on September 23. The storm traveled westward at a low latitude along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (or ITCZ), and its convection gradually grew more organized.[54] On September 29 it was identified as Tropical Depression Sixteen about 900 miles (1,400 km) southeast of Barbados. The westward path of the storm shifted two degrees northward, possibly as a result of the formation of a new center. On September 30 the depression was upgraded when an Air Force reconnaissance plane discovered tropical storm-force winds.[4]

Westerly vertical wind shear prevented deep convection at the center of the storm. As Isaac approached the islands, northern parts of the Lesser Antilles were issued tropical storm warnings.[4] Nevertheless the storm lasted only a short time in the shearing environment. Isaac was downgraded to a depression on October 1 and completely dissipated shortly thereafter.[54] No damage or casualties were reported. The remnants of Isaac eventually regenerated in the eastern Pacific Ocean basin as Tropical Depression Twenty-E.[55]

[edit] Hurricane Joan

Category 4 hurricane (SSHS)
Hurricane Joan 21 oct 1988 2103Z.jpg Joan 1988 track.png
Duration October 10—October 23
Intensity 145 mph (230 km/h) (1-min), 932 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Joan-Miriam

On October 10 the 17th tropical depression of the season organized from a disturbance in the ITCZ. For the next two days the system traveled northwest while it strengthened into Tropical Storm Joan.[56] After passing through the southern Lesser Antilles, Joan traveled westward along the South American coast as a minimal tropical storm. It crossed the Guajira Peninsula on October 17 and quickly attained hurricane strength just 30 miles (48 km) from the coast. Hurricane Joan strengthened into a major hurricane on October 19 while drifting westward. The hurricane executed a tight cyclonic loop in which it weakened greatly but rapidly strengthened upon resuming its westward track.[57] Joan reached its peak intensity just before making landfall near Bluefields, Nicaragua, on October 22 as a Category 4 hurricane. Joan at the time was the southernmost Category 4 hurricane ever recorded, but this record has since been broken by Hurricane Ivan.[58] Joan remained well organized as it crossed Nicaragua and emerged in the eastern Pacific Ocean basin as Tropical Storm Miriam. Miriam gradually weakened until dissipating on November 2.

Hurricane Joan killed 148 people in Nicaragua and 68 others in affected nations.[59] The hurricane damage in Nicaragua amounted to half of the $2 billion (1988 USD) total. Joan also brought heavy rainfall and mudslides to countries along the extreme southern Caribbean.[57] Its track along the northern coast of South America was very rare; Joan was one of only a few Atlantic tropical cyclones to move in this way.[60] Joan was also the first tropical cyclone to cross from the Atlantic basin since Hurricane Greta of 1978.[61]

[edit] Tropical Depression Eighteen

Tropical depression (SSHS)
TD 18 20 oct 1988 1233Z.jpg
Duration October 20—October 21
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min), Pressure unknown

A westward-moving tropical wave that left the coast of Africa in early October tracked closely behind Hurricane Joan through the southern Caribbean.[62] In an unusual occurrence the disturbance developed into the 18th tropical depression about 500 miles (800 km) behind the powerful hurricane. An Air Force reconnaissance check of tropical weather on October 19 spotted the depression near Colombia's Guajira Peninsula. Hurricane Joan's small size allowed the depression to remain out-of-reach as it developed. However, the outflow of the hurricane sheared the depression and sapped its energy.[63] The system gradually dissipated on October 21 while Joan was experiencing rapid strengthening just before its arrival on the coast of Nicaragua.[57] The depression brought heavy rain to the Netherlands Antilles.[3] News reports blamed Tropical Depression 18 and other tropical systems for bringing swarms of pink locusts from Africa to Trinidad and other Caribbean nations.[62]

[edit] Tropical Storm Keith

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Keith 22 nov 1988 1359Z.jpg Keith 1988 track.png
Duration November 17—November 24
Intensity 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min), 985 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Tropical Storm Keith (1988)

The last storm of the season formed from a tropical wave on November 17 to the south of Haiti. It moved westward through the Caribbean Sea and became organized enough to attain tropical storm status on November 20. Keith rapidly organized and peaked with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) before making landfall on the northeastern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula on November 21. An upper level trough forced it to the northeast, where upper-level shear and cooler drier air weakened it to minimal storm strength in a pattern typical for November.[4][64] Keith restrengthened over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico and struck near Sarasota, Florida, on November 23. After crossing the state, it became extratropical on November 24 near Bermuda and became an intense extratropical system over the Atlantic with sustained winds of minimal hurricane force.[4][65]

Early in its duration Keith produced moderate to heavy rainfall in Honduras, Jamaica, and Cuba.[66][67][68] Minimal damage was reported in Mexico, still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Gilbert two months earlier.[69] Keith, the last of four named tropical cyclones to hit the United States during the season, produced moderate rainfall, a rough storm surge, and gusty winds across central Florida.[4] Overall damage was widespread but fairly minor, totaling about $7.3 million (1988 USD, $12.7 million 2007 USD).[68][70] Damage near the coast occurred mainly from storm surge and beach erosion, while damage further inland was limited to flooding and downed trees and power lines. No fatalities were reported.[68]

[edit] Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) rating

ACE (104kt²) – Storm[71]
1 32.76 Gilbert 7 1.628 Debby
2 31.60 Helene 8 1.288 Ernesto
3 23.72 Joan 9 1.050 Beryl
4 4.870 Keith 10 0.490 Alberto
5 3.045 Florence 11 0.485 Chris
6 1.688 Unnamed 12 0.405 Isaac
Total= 103.0

The table on the right shows the ACE for each storm in the season. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of a hurricane's power multiplied by the length of time it existed. Storms that last a long time or are particularly strong have high ACEs. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph, 63 km/h) or tropical storm strength. The 1988 season had a cumulative ACE of 103 x 104kt2[72], which is categorized as being above normal since it is above the value of 103 x 104kt2 (corresponding to 117 percent of the median ACE value or 110 percent of the mean).[73]

[edit] Storm names

The following names were used for named storms that formed in the north Atlantic in 1988. The names not retired from this list were used again in the 1994 season. This is the same list used for the 1982 season. Storms were named Gilbert, Isaac, Joan, and Keith for the first time in 1988. Florence and Helene were not used in 1982 but had been used in previous lists. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray.

  • Helene
  • Isaac
  • Joan
  • Keith
  • Leslie (unused)
  • Michael (unused)
  • Nadine (unused)
  • Oscar (unused)
  • Patty (unused)
  • Rafael (unused)
  • Sandy (unused)
  • Tony (unused)
  • Valerie (unused)
  • William (unused)

[edit] Retirement

See also: List of retired Atlantic hurricane names

The World Meteorological Organization retired two names in the spring of 1989: Gilbert and Joan. They were replaced in the 1994 season by Gordon and Joyce.

[edit] See also

Tropical cyclones Portal

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c National Hurricane Center (2006). Tropical Cyclone Climatology. Retrieved on 2007-11-24.
  2. ^ a b CSU (2006). Tropical Meteorology Project Forecast Verifications Errors. Retrieved on 2008-01-06.
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