Timeline of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season

Map showing paths of tropical cyclones that formed in the North Atlantic basin in 1998
Track map of all Atlantic tropical cyclones during 1998

The 1998 Atlantic hurricane season was an average Atlantic hurricane season in which twelve named storms formed.[nb 1] Although Tropical Storm Alex formed on July 27, the season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates that conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones develop in the Atlantic basin.[2] The final storm, Hurricane Nicole, lasted until December 1, one day after the official end of the season.

The season produced fourteen tropical depressions, all of which intensified into tropical storms, ten became hurricanes, and three became major hurricanes.[nb 2] The two most significant storms of the season, in terms of loss of life and damage, were hurricanes Georges and Mitch. The former traveled across much of the Greater and Lesser Antilles and made landfall in Mississippi as a Category 2 hurricane. Resulting in extensive damage and a large number of fatalities.[4] Hurricane Mitch's slow movement over Central America caused catastrophic flooding, making it the second deadliest Atlantic tropical cyclone on record.[5]

This timeline includes information that was not operationally released, meaning that data from post-storm reviews by the National Hurricane Center, such as a storm that was not operationally warned upon, has been included. This timeline documents tropical cyclone formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, and dissipations during the season.

Timeline of events

Hurricane Nicole (1998) Hurricane Mitch Tropical Storm Hermine (1998) Hurricane Georges Tropical Storm Frances (1998) Hurricane Earl (1998) Hurricane Danielle (1998) Tropical Storm Charley (1998) Hurricane Bonnie (1998)

June

June 1

July

Satellite image of the relatively weak Tropical Storm Alex
July 31 — Tropical Storm Alex at peak intensity in the central Atlantic
July 27
July 29
July 31

August

August 2
August 3
August 19
August 20
August 21
August 22
Satellite image of Tropical Storm Charley, which was nearing landfall in Texas
August 22 — Tropical Storm Charley prior to making landfall on the Texas coastline
August 23
August 24
August 25
August 26
August 27
August 28
August 30
August 31

September

September 2
Satellite image of Hurricane Earl, a somewhat disorganized tropical cyclone in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico
September 2 — Hurricane Earl shortly after being classified as a hurricane
September 3
September 4
September 8
September 9
September 11
September 12
September 13
September 15
Satellite image of Hurricane Georges, a strong tropical cyclone, near peak intensity
September 20 — Hurricane Georges east of the Lesser Antilles as a Category 4 hurricane
September 16
September 17
September 18
September 19
September 20
September 21
September 22
September 23
September 24
September 25
September 26 — Karl as a Category 1 hurricane
September 26
September 27
September 28
September 29
Storm path of Hurricane Lisa. It starts in the Atlantic Ocean nearly halfway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles; Lisa moves generally northward direction and in a quick motion before ceasing to exist hundreds of miles north of the Azores
Track of Hurricane Lisa

October

October 1
October 5
October 9
October 10
October 22
October 24
October 25
Satellite image of Hurricane Mitch in the western Caribbean Sea, a very intense Category 5 hurricane
October 26 — Mitch near peak intensity as a powerful Category 5 hurricane
October 26
October 28
October 29
October 31

November

November 2
November 3
November 4
Satellite image of Hurricane Nicole, a moderate Category 1 hurricane
November 30 — Hurricane Nicole to the southwest of the Azores
November 5
November 24
November 26
November 27
November 30

December

December 1

See also

Notes

  1. An average season, as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has twelve tropical storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.[1]
  2. A major hurricane is a storm that ranks as Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane scale.[3]

References

  1. Background Information: The North Atlantic Hurricane Season. Climate Prediction Center (Report) (College Park, Maryland: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). August 4, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  2. Chris W. Landsea; Neal Dorst (ed.) (June 2, 2011). "G: Tropical Cyclone Climatology". Hurricane Research Division: Frequently Asked Questions. Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Virginia Key, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). G1) When is hurricane season ?. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  3. Chris W. Landsea; Neal Dorst (ed.) (June 2, 2011). "A: Basic Definitions". Hurricane Research Division: Frequently Asked Questions. Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Virginia Key, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). A3) What is a super-typhoon? What is a major hurricane ? What is an intense hurricane ?. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 John L. Guiney (January 5, 1999). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Georges. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 John L. Guiney and Miles B. Lawrence (January 28, 1999). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Mitch. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  6. 6.0 6.1 FAQ: When is hurricane season?. Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Report) (Virginia Key, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 John L. Guiney (December 22, 1998). Preliminary Report: Tropical Storm Alex. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 8.10 8.11 8.12 Lixion A. Avila (October 24, 1998). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Bonnie. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Edward N. Rappaport (October 23, 1998). Preliminary Report: Tropical Storm Charley. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 10.10 10.11 Richard J. Pasch (January 19, 1999). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Danielle. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 B. Max Mayfield (November 17, 1998). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Earl. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Miles B. Lawrence (November 18, 1998). Preliminary Report: Tropical Storm Frances. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Lixon A. Avila (November 9, 1998). Preliminary Report: Tropical Storm Hermine. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Edward N. Rappaport (November 18, 1998). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Ivan. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 15.8 Richard J. Pasch (February 8, 1999). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Jeanne. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 16.7 B. Max Mayfield (November 16, 1998). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Karl. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Miles B. Lawrence (December 4, 1998). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Lisa. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 Lixion A. Avila (December 17, 1998). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Nicole. National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Retrieved June 1, 2013.
Preceded by
1996
Atlantic hurricane seasons timelines
1998
Succeeded by
1999