1988 Atlantic hurricane season

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Tropical Storm Alberto (1988)
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1988 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedMay 31, 1988
Last system dissipatedNovember 24, 1988
Strongest storm
NameGilbert
(Most intense hurricane in the Atlantic basin at the time)
 • Maximum winds185 mph (295 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure888 mbar (hPa; 26.22 inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions19
Total storms12
Hurricanes5
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+)
3
Total fatalities601–719 total
Total damage$4.99 billion (1988 USD)
Related articles
Atlantic hurricane seasons
1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990

The 1988 Atlantic hurricane season was a near average

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 scale. But until 34 years later in 2022 Atlantic hurricane season
, had Pacific-Atlantic hurricane crossover.

There were two notable cyclones of the season, the first one being

Hurricane Joan, which struck Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane and caused about US$1.87 billion in damage and more than 200 deaths. The hurricane crossed into the eastern Pacific Ocean and was reclassified as Tropical Storm Miriam. Hurricane Debby also successfully crossed over, becoming Tropical Depression Seventeen-E, making the 1988 season the first on record in which more than one tropical cyclone has crossed between the Atlantic and Pacific basins intact.[2]

Seasonal forecasts

Predictions of tropical activity in the 1988 season
Source Date Named
storms
Hurricanes Major
hurricanes
CSU[3] June 11 7 Unknown
Record high activity[4] 30 15 7 (Tie)
Record low activity[4] 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.[3]

Seasonal summary

Tropical Storm Keith (1988)Hurricane Joan–MiriamHurricane GilbertHurricane Florence (1988)Hurricane Debby (1988)Tropical Storm Chris (1988)Tropical Storm Beryl (1988)Tropical Depression One (1988)Saffir-Simpson scale

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.[5] Twelve depressions attained tropical storm status, and five of these attained hurricane status, of which three reached major hurricane status. Four hurricanes and three tropical storms made landfall during the season and caused 550 deaths and $4.86 billion in damage. The last storm of the season, Tropical Storm Keith, dissipated on November 24,[6] only 6 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 of them 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.[5] The official storm track forecast errors were 30 to 40 percent lower than the average for the previous 10 years.[6] 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.[7]

The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 103, which is classified as "near normal".[8][9] ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. It is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph; 63 km/h), which is tropical storm strength.[9]

Systems

Tropical Depression One

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
 
DurationMay 31 – June 2
Peak intensity30 mph (45 km/h) (1-min);
1002 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

Florida Straits.[5]

Rainfall from the depression and its precursor peaked at 40.35 in (1,025 mm), including a daily peak of 34.13 in (867 mm).[11] The rainfall most affected the province of Cienfuegos, though the provinces of Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, and Camagüey were also impacted.[12] A tornado in the city of Camagüey destroyed five Soviet planes and multiple buildings.[13] Flooding prompted officials to use rescue crews, helicopters, and amphibious vehicles to evacuate 65,000 residents in low-lying areas to higher grounds. The storm left many without power and communications, severely damaged the country's transportation infrastructure, and destroyed six bridges.[13] Flooding from the depression damaged 1,000 houses and destroyed 200 homes in Camagüey Province alone.[14] Throughout Cuba, the depression affected about 90,000 people, injuring dozens[15] and killing a total of 37 people,[12] including three who died from electrocution.[13] In Florida, the depression produced light rain, including 3.18 in (81 mm) at Pompano Beach.[16]

Tropical Storm Alberto

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationAugust 5 – August 8
Peak intensity40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min);
1002 mbar (hPa)

The season's first named storm originated on August 4 within a weak trough of low pressure that formed off the coast of

Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Shortly thereafter it dissipated just north of Newfoundland.[17]

The storm produced peak wind gusts of 48 mph (77 km/h) at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Rainfall reached 1.78 inches (45 mm) in Saint John, New Brunswick,[18] most of which fell in a short amount of time. The rainfall caused localized flooding, which briefly closed some streets.[19] The extratropical remnants of Alberto also produced light rain and some clouds along western Newfoundland.[18]

Tropical Storm Beryl

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationAugust 8 – August 10
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
1001 mbar (hPa)

The third tropical depression of the season formed on August 7 from a surface

Florida Panhandle.[6] Over the open Gulf, Beryl produced sustained winds of minimal tropical storm force and tropical storm force gusts over coastal Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.[21] Excessive rain fell along the central Gulf Coast, including local amounts of 16 in (410 mm) at Dauphin Island, Alabama.[22]

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.[22] 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 in (300 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.[23]

Tropical Depression Four

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
 
DurationAugust 13 – August 14
Peak intensity35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min);
1012 mbar (hPa)

On August 12 a westward-moving tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Four near the southern

squalls to the north and east of the center reached up to 50 mph (80 km/h).[26] The system finally dissipated as it reemerged over water near the mouth of the Mississippi.[25]

Early predictions from hurricane forecasters said that the depression would strengthen into the season's third tropical storm.[27] 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.[24]

Tropical Depression Five

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
 
DurationAugust 20 – August 31
Peak intensity35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min);
1006 mbar (hPa)

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.[5] 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.[28]

By August 24 the depression's forward speed had increased to 15 mph (24 km/h) as its movement turned west. Cool ocean temperatures weakened the system and diminished its prospects for restrengthening,[29] 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,[5] 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.[citation needed]

Tropical Depression Six

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
 
DurationAugust 20 – August 24
Peak intensity35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min);
1006 mbar (hPa)

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.

Hurricane Kristy once it reached the eastern Pacific.[30] The system's main effect on land was squally weather on the Windward Islands.[5]

Tropical Storm Chris

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationAugust 21 – August 29
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
1005 mbar (hPa)

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.

Bahamas.[34]

The depression passed south of Puerto Rico on August 24 and dumped more than 14 in (360 mm) of rain on parts of the island.[35] Three deaths in Puerto Rico were attributed to the weather.[36] 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 rain and wind damage to the area.[36] 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.[35] Heavy thunderstorms spawned a tornado in South Carolina that resulted in another death.[33]

Hurricane Debby

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationAugust 31 – September 5 (Exited basin)
Peak intensity75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min);
987 mbar (hPa)

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.[6] 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.[37]

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.

Tuxpan, Veracruz, six hours later.[37] The storm brought high winds, inland flooding, and mudslides and caused 10 deaths.[38]

Debby weakened considerably over the

Tropical Depression Seventeen-E before dissipating in the Gulf of California on September 8.[citation needed
]

Tropical Storm Ernesto

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 3 – September 5
Peak intensity65 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.[39] 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.[40] A large extratropical storm over the North Atlantic absorbed Ernesto on September 5. The only land area affected by the storm was in the Azores, where it brought near storm-force winds to Flores Island.[6]

Tropical Depression Ten

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 4 – September 4
Peak intensity35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min);
1004 mbar (hPa)

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 mi (260 km) west-southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana.[41] 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).[5] 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.[5] The wave dampened over the next 24 hours and brought heavy rain to the rest of the southeast, including a maximum of 8.4 in (210 mm) in Biloxi, Mississippi.[42] No major damage was reported.[citation needed]

Unnamed tropical storm

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 7 – September 10
Peak intensity60 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 Eleven. The NHC began issuing advisories on September 8 while it was 350 mi (560 km) northeast of Cape Verde. An after-the-fact review of satellite and ship reports indicated that the depression reached tropical storm-strength on September 7.[43][44] However, because of its extreme eastern track, the storm's observational track did not include this information.[citation needed]

For three days a large trough of low pressure northwest 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.[43] 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.[6]

Hurricane Florence

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 7 – September 11
Peak intensity80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min);
982 mbar (hPa)

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. 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.[45]

The depression drifted eastward under the influence of the dissipating frontal trough and intensified into Tropical Storm Florence, as confirmed by

Baton Rouge and dissipated the next day over northeast Texas.[45]

Early in its duration the system dropped moderate amounts of rainfall across the Yucatán Peninsula.[46] Upon striking Louisiana, storm surge water levels rose moderately above normal just east of where the center moved ashore.[47] 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.[48]

Hurricane Gilbert

Category 5 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 8 – September 19
Peak intensity185 mph (295 km/h) (1-min);
888 mbar (hPa)

The 13th 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 (2.1 inHg), the fastest deepening of an Atlantic hurricane on record until 2005's Hurricane Wilma.[49] Gilbert's pressure of 888 millibars (26.2 inHg) at the time was the lowest sea level pressure ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere.[50]

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.[50]

Hurricane Gilbert was the most intense hurricane ever observed in the Atlantic basin until Hurricane Wilma broke this record in

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.[51]

Hurricane Helene

Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 19 – September 30
Peak intensity145 mph (230 km/h) (1-min);
938 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave with deeply organized convection crossed the coast of Africa on September 15. The system was forced west due to a strong ridge in the eastern Atlantic. On September 19 at 18:00 UTC, the system was upgraded to Tropical Depression Fourteen. By 06:00 UTC on September 20, the depression was strengthened, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Helene. Helene began to turn to the northwest on September 21 due to a major trough in the eastern Atlantic. Later on September 21, Helene intensified into a hurricane. Favorable conditions allowed the storm to continue strengthening, and on September 22, Helene became a major hurricane. Late on the following day, Helene attained its peak intensity; maximum sustained winds were at 145 mph (233 km/h) and the minimum pressure of 938 mbar (27.7 inHg).[52]

After reaching peak intensity, Helene weakened as it tracked generally northward through the open Atlantic. By early on September 29, Helene briefly restrengthened into a Category 2 hurricane and reached a secondary peak of 105 mph (169 km/h). However, later that day, Helene weakened back to a Category 1 hurricane while accelerating to the northeast. At 12:00 UTC on September 30, Helene transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while centered well south of Iceland. The precursor tropical wave produced thunderstorms and gusty winds ranging between 23 and 34 mph (37 and 55 km/h) in Cape Verde on September 17.[52]

Tropical Depression Fifteen

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 27 – September 29
Peak intensity30 mph (45 km/h) (1-min);
1009 mbar (hPa)

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 fifteenth tropical depression of the season while it was about 265 mi (426 km) south-southeast of Cape Verde.[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, and never reformed in the Atlantic.[5] Aside from a brief threat to the Cape Verde islands, the system remained far from any landmasses throughout its life.[citation needed]

Tropical Storm Isaac

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 28 – October 1
Peak intensity45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min);
1005 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 23. It traveled westward at a low latitude along the

Tropical Depression Twenty-E.[55]

As a tropical cyclone, Isaac did not significantly affect land.[56] However, the remnants dropped heavy rainfall across Trinidad and Tobago, causing flooding and mudslides that injured 20 people[57] and left at least 30 homeless.[58] Flash flooding in Morvant killed two people.[57] Across the country, the storm damaged roads and bridges.[59]

Hurricane Joan

Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationOctober 10 – October 23 (Exited basin)
Peak intensity145 mph (230 km/h) (1-min);
932 mbar (hPa)

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.[60] After passing through the southern Lesser Antilles, Joan traveled westward along the South American coast as a minimal tropical storm. It crossed the

Tropical Storm Miriam. Miriam gradually weakened until dissipating on November 2.[citation needed
]

Hurricane Joan killed 148 people in Nicaragua and 68 others in affected nations.

Tropical Depression Eighteen

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
 
DurationOctober 19 – October 21
Peak intensity35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min);
1006 mbar (hPa)

A westward-moving tropical wave, that left the coast of Africa in early October, tracked closely behind Hurricane Joan through the southern Caribbean.[66] In an unusual occurrence the disturbance developed into the 18th tropical depression about 500 mi (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.[67] The system gradually dissipated on October 21 while Joan was experiencing rapid strengthening just before its arrival on the coast of Nicaragua.[61] The depression brought heavy rain to the Netherlands Antilles.[5] News reports blamed Tropical Depression Eighteen and other tropical systems for bringing swarms of pink locusts from Africa to Trinidad and other Caribbean nations.[66]

Tropical Storm Keith

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationNovember 17 – November 24
Peak intensity70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min);
985 mbar (hPa)

The last storm of the season formed from a tropical wave on November 17 to the south of

extratropical on November 24 near Bermuda and became an intense extratropical system over the Atlantic with sustained winds of minimal hurricane force.[6][69]

Early in its duration Keith produced moderate to heavy rainfall in Honduras, Jamaica, and Cuba.[70][71][72] Minimal damage was reported in Mexico, still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Gilbert two months earlier.[73] 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.[6] Overall damage was widespread but fairly minor, totaling about $7.3 million.[72][74] 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.[72]

Storm names

The following list of names was used for named storms that formed in the north Atlantic in 1988.[75] This is the same list used for the 1982 season.[76] Storms were named Gilbert, Isaac, Joan and Keith for the first time in 1988. The names Florence and Helene had been previously used under the old naming convention.[77]

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

Retirement

The World Meteorological Organization retired the names Gilbert and Joan from the rotating Atlantic hurricane name lists after the 1988 season on account of their severity.[78] They were replaced with Gordon and Joyce for the 1994 season.[79]

Season effects

This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their name, duration (within the basin), peak classification and intensities, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 1988 USD.

Saffir–Simpson scale
TD TS C1 C2 C3 C4 C5
1988 Atlantic hurricane season season statistics
Storm
name
Dates active Storm category
at peak intensity
Max 1-min
wind
mph (km/h)
Min.
press.
(mbar)
Areas affected Damage
(USD)
Deaths Ref(s)
One May 31 – June 2 Tropical depression 30 (45) 1002 Greater Antilles Unknown 37 [12][80]
Alberto August 5 – 8 Tropical storm 40 (65) 1002 East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada None None
Beryl August 5 – 8 Tropical storm 40 (65) 1002 Gulf Coast of the United States $3 million 1
Four August 13 – 14 Tropical depression 35 (55) 1012 Florida None None
Five August 20 – 31 Tropical depression 35 (55) 1006 None None None
Six August 20 – 24 Tropical depression 35 (55) 1006 Windward Islands None None
Chris August 21 – 29 Tropical storm 50 (85) 1005 Leeward Islands, Greater Antilles, East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada $2.2 million 6
Debby August 31 – September 8 Category 1 hurricane 75 (120) 987
Yucatan Peninsula
, Eastern Mexico
Unknown 20
Ernesto September 3 – 5 Tropical storm 65 (100) 994 None None None
Ten September 4 Tropical depression 35 (55) 1004 Gulf Coast of the United States None None
Unnamed September 7 – 10 Tropical storm 60 (95) 994 Cape Verde None None
Florence September 7 – 11 Category 1 hurricane 80 (130) 982 $2.9 million 1
Gilbert September 8 – 19 Category 5 hurricane 185 (295) 888
South Central, Midwestern and Western Canada
$2.98 billion 318 [81][82]
Helene September 19 – 30 Category 4 hurricane 145 (230) 938 None None None
Fifteen September 27 – 29 Tropical depression 30 (45) 1009 None None None
Isaac September 28 – October 1 Tropical storm 45 (75) 1005 Trinidad and Tobago Unknown 2
Joan October 10 – 23 Category 4 hurricane 145 (230) 932 Windward Islands, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Colombia, Venezuela, Central America $2 billion 216–334 [82]
Eighteen October 19 – 21 Tropical depression 35 (55) 1006 Netherlands Antilles, Trinidad None None
Keith November 17 – 24 Tropical storm 70 (110) 985
Southeast United States, Bermuda
$7.3 million None
Season aggregates
19 systems May 31 – November 24   185 (295) 888 $4.99 billion 601–719  

See also

Notes

  1. ^ All damage figures are in 1988 United States dollars, unless otherwise noted
  2. ^ Although Alberto intensified from a tropical depression to a tropical storm at a higher latitude than any other Atlantic system, it is not the northernmost formation of a tropical cyclone in the Atlantic. That record is held by an unnamed tropical storm in 1952 that formed at 42.0°N, and was not operationally recognized.

References

  1. ^ a b c National Hurricane Center (2006). "Tropical Cyclone Climatology". Archived from the original on December 13, 2007. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  2. ^ Henson, Bob (October 10, 2022). "As Julia fades, floods plague Central America". New Haven, Connecticut: Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  3. ^ a b CSU (2006). "Tropical Meteorology Project Forecast Verifications Errors". Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
  4. ^ a b "North Atlantic Ocean Historical Tropical Cyclone Statistics". Fort Collins, Colorado: Colorado State University. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  5. ^ .
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Miles B. Lawrence and James M. Gross (1989). "Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1988" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 14, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
  7. ^ National Hurricane Center (2007). "Average NHC Atlantic Track Forecast Errors" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
  8. ^ Hurricane Research Division (February 2014). "Atlantic basin: Comparison of Original and Revised HURDAT". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
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  10. ^ "Forecasters Watching Depression". Domestic News. Associated Press. June 1, 1988.
  11. ^ Instituto Nacional de Recursos Hidráulicos (2003). "Lluvias intensas observadas y grandes inundaciones reportadas" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2007.
  12. ^ a b c "Características generales de los factores del régimen hidrológico de Cuba" (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Recursos Hidráulicos. 2003. Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved March 3, 2007.
  13. ^ a b c "Tropical storm leaves 14 dead". Star-News. June 2, 1988. p. 6A. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  14. ^ "Cuba – Flood". The Russian Information Agency. June 8, 1988.
  15. ^ "Cuba – Heavy Rains Jun 1988 UNDRO Information Report No. 1". United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs. June 10, 1988. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved March 3, 2007.
  16. ^ David Roth (2006). "Rainfall Summary for Tropical Depression One". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2007.
  17. ^ a b c "Tropical Storm Alberto Preliminary Report" (GIF). National Hurricane Center. 1988. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved October 11, 2007.
  18. ^ a b c "Canadian Tropical Cyclone Season Summary for 1988". Environment Canada. January 15, 2014. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
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