1978 Atlantic hurricane season

Template:Short description Template:Good article Template:Infobox hurricane season The 1978 Atlantic hurricane season was a slightly above average hurricane season in terms of number of named storms. Eleven tropical cyclones were named in all, and five of these became hurricanes; two of the five became a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale).<ref name="mwr">Template:Cite report</ref> This was also the last Atlantic hurricane season to use an all-female naming list.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The season officially began on June 1, 1978, and ended on November 30, 1978. These dates, adopted by convention, denote the period in each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the Atlantic basin.<ref name="seasondates">Template:Cite web</ref> However, the formation of subtropical or tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year, as shown by the formation of an unnamed subtropical storm on January 18.

Three storms made landfall along the coast of the western Gulf of Mexico during the season. At the end of July and into early August, short-lived Tropical Storm Amelia and its remnants caused extensive flooding in Texas after dropping as much as Template:Convert of rain. There were 33 deaths and US$110 million (equivalent to $Template:Inflation million in Template:Inflation/year) in damage. Also in August, Tropical Storm Bess made landfall in Veracruz, and later, Tropical Storm Debra did so in Louisiana. Neither caused significant damage, though Debra or its remnants spawned multiple tornadoes that killed two people. Hurricanes Ella and Greta each reached Category 4 strength. Though remaining out at sea, Ella did lash the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada with gusty winds and rip currents in early September. Greta brought strong winds, high tides, and flooding to Central America, particularly Belize and Honduras, resulting in about $25 million in damage and at least five fatalities. The storm crossed intact into the eastern Pacific Ocean and was renamed Olivia. Overall, the storms of this season collectively caused $191 million in damage and 42 fatalities.

Season summary

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Hurricane Greta directly north of Honduras on September 18

The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1978.<ref name="seasondates"/> Although 24 tropical cyclones developed, only twelve of them reached tropical storm intensity,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track which is slightly above the 1966-2009 average of 11.3 named storms per season.<ref name="climo">Template:Cite report</ref> Of the twelve tropical storms, five of them strengthened into a hurricane,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track which is slightly below the 1966-2009 average of 6.2.<ref name="climo"/> Two of the five hurricane became major hurricanes,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track which is Category 3 or greater on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.<ref name="sshws">Template:Cite report</ref> Three tropical storms and two hurricanes made landfall during the season. Collectively, the tropical cyclones of the 1978 season caused at least 41 fatalities and $135 million.<ref>Template:Cite report

• Template:Cite news
• Template:Cite news
• Template:Cite report</ref> Additionally, the precursor to Hurricane Kendra brought flooding to Puerto Rico, with $6 million in damage and one death.<ref name="mwr"/> The season officially ended on November 30, 1978.<ref name="seasondates"/>

Tropical cyclogenesis began very early, with the development of a subtropical storm on January 18. It dissipated about five days later. However, the next tropical cyclone, an unnumbered depression, did not develop until June 21. In July, there were two systems, including an unnumbered tropical depression and Tropical Storm Amelia. Seven tropical cyclones formed in August, including Tropical Depression Four, tropical storms Bess and Debra and hurricanes Cora and Ella. There were also seven systems in September – tropical depressions Eight, Nine, and Twelve, Tropical Storm Hope, and hurricanes Flossie and Greta. During the month of October, there were five tropical cyclones, with two unnumbered tropical depressions, tropical storms Irma and Juliet, and Hurricane Kendra. There was another unnumbered tropical depression in November, which dissipated on November 5.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 63. ACE is a metric used to express the energy used by a tropical cyclone during its lifetime. Therefore, a storm with a longer duration will have high values of ACE. It is only calculated at six-hour increments in which specific tropical and subtropical systems are either at or above sustained wind speeds of 39 mph (63 km/h), which is the threshold for tropical storm intensity.<ref name="HRDat">Template:Cite report</ref>

Systems

Unnamed subtropical storm

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small Template:See also In the middle of January, an upper-level trough in the westerlies spawned a surface low-pressure area to the east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles and to the south of a subtropical ridge. Isolated from the detrimental effects of the westerlies, it was initially non-tropical in nature and intensified through a baroclinic energy source, or one that derives energy from the interaction of cold and warm air. Convection increased slightly despite cool sea surface temperatures of around Template:Convert. At 1200 UTC on January 18, it organized into a subtropical depression about Template:Convert east-northeast of Puerto Rico while moving in a general westward track, which it would maintain for much of its duration.<ref name="mwr"/> The National Hurricane Center (NHC) initiated Dvorak classifications on the cyclone at 0000 UTC on January 19, assessing a Dvorak number of T2.5, suggesting both tropical and subtropical characteristics.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> On the same day, the pressure gradient between the storm and the ridge produced gale-force winds.<ref name="mwr"/> By early on January 20, the storm maintained minimal convection near its center, with its primary rainband revolved in a cyclonic formation around its well-defined center.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Later that day, the storm strengthened into a subtropical storm and attained peak winds of Template:Convert,<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> supported by both ship and Hurricane Hunters reports.<ref name="mwr"/>

After the storm maintained peak winds for about 36 hours, the outer rainbands to the south and east of the center began diminishing late on January 21, which began a weakening trend.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> At around that time, the cyclone was moving west-southwestward, and within 72 hours was forecast by one hurricane forecast model to be located over Hispaniola.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> By midday on January 22, the winds decreased to below gale force after the convection dissipated near the center.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Subsequently, it turned more to the west away from land, and by January 23 the circulation degenerated into a remnant trough about Template:Convert north of the Lesser Antilles.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track The storm was one of six tropical or subtropical cyclones on record to be active in the month of January, and one of four to have formed in the month.<ref name="meta">Template:Cite report</ref> Template:Clear

Tropical Storm Amelia

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small Template:Main A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Africa on July 19. The wave did not develop significantly while crossing the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The disturbance then entered an area of the Gulf of Mexico that was conducive to tropical cyclogenesis and became a tropical depression while located about Template:Convert south of Brownsville, Texas on July 30. Despite its proximity to land, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Amelia on July 31 and peaked with winds of Template:Convert. Around that time, Amelia made landfall near Port Isabel, Texas.<ref name="atcr1">Template:Cite report</ref> Later on July 31, the storm weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated early the following day.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

Amelia affected the Texas coast for two days, causing several shipping incidents and minor damage in Corpus Christi and South Padre Island.<ref name="atcr2">Template:Cite report</ref> While active, there were no deaths linked to the storm.<ref name="Toledo Blade">Template:Cite news</ref> However, the biggest impact from the storm followed its dissipation, when its remnants contributed to record rainfall totals over the state.Template:Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima The state, already suffering from a previous drought, believed that the rain would help alleviate the conditions.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> However, the dry ground aided the flooding from the storm.<ref name="Times-Union">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Beaver County Times">Template:Cite news</ref> The rainfall caused several rivers and creeks to flood, especially around the Texas Hill Country and northern Texas, leading to severe damage.<ref name="atcr2"/> Overall, Amelia caused 33 fatalities with an estimated $110 million in damages.<ref name="texashurricanes">Template:Cite report</ref><ref name="The Evening Independent">Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Clear

Tropical Storm Bess

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small A low-pressure area developed in Georgia along a dissipating cold front on August 1. The system detached from the cold front and drifted southwestward, reaching northeastern Gulf of Mexico on August 3. Satellite imagery, buoys, and reconnaissance aircraft flights indicated that by August 5, the system likely acquired a closed circulation. Thus, the National Hurricane Center estimated that a tropical depression developed in the central Gulf of Mexico at 1200 UTC that day. On August 6, a reconnaissance flight into the depression resulted in an upgrade to Tropical Storm Bess, while located about Template:Convert southeast of Brownsville, Texas. The storm had initially headed west-southwestward at Template:Convert, before moving southwestward at nearly the same speed.<ref name="btcr">Template:Cite report</ref>

At 1200 UTC on August 7, Bess attained its minimum barometric pressure of Template:Convert. Thereafter, Bess began to turn nearly due southward under the influence of a high-pressure area over southern Texas. Later on August 7, the storm reached its maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert. Early on August 8, Bess made landfall near Nautla, Veracruz, at the same intensity and then rapidly dissipated inland.<ref name="btcr"/> In Tuxpan, Veracruz and Tampico, Tamaulipas, sustained winds reached only Template:Convert.<ref name="btcr2">Template:Cite report</ref> The storm also produced heavy rainfall, peaking at Template:Convert in La Estrella.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> However, no flooding occurred and no damage or fatalities were reported.<ref name="btcr2"/> Its remnants emerged into the Pacific Ocean, leading to the formation of Hurricane Iva.<ref name="tropicalsystems">Template:Cite report</ref> Template:Clear

Hurricane Cora

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small On August 4, a disturbance exited the west coast of Africa and moved quickly westward within the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Two days later, the system broke away from the ICTZ, when it started organizing. It developed into Tropical Depression Three late on August 7. A day later it intensified into Tropical Storm on August 8.<ref name="ctcr1">Template:Cite web</ref> The storm quickly intensified and developed a well-defined eye feature. The NHC upgraded Cora to hurricane status, marking only the second time that an Atlantic hurricane was upgraded solely based on satellite photography; the first was Doris in 1975.<ref name="ctcr2">Template:Cite web</ref> The NHC estimated that Cora attained peak winds of Template:Convert early on August 9.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track For much of its duration, Cora moved quickly to the west-southwest toward the Lesser Antilles. Possibly as a result of the fast forward motion, the hurricane weakened soon after reaching its peak intensity, dropping to tropical storm status on August 10. That day, a Hurricane Hunter aircraft encountered the weakening storm. Cora struck the island of Grenada on August 11 while weakening to a tropical depression. Cora degenerated into a tropical wave on August 12 in the eastern Caribbean.<ref name="ctcr4">Template:Cite report</ref> The remnant crossed over Central America into the Pacific Ocean, where it regenerated into Hurricane Kristy.<ref name="tropicalsystems"/>

While passing through the Lesser Antilles, Cora produced wind gusts to Template:Convert, along with light rainfall in Barbados and Saint Lucia.<ref name="ctcr1"/> In the latter, a person died after stepping on a high tension power line that was downed in Castries. Approximately two to four percent of trees on the island were toppled.<ref name="Virgin Islands Daily News">Template:Cite news</ref> Although it remained far to the south, Hurricane Cora affected weather conditions that reached as far north as Presque Isle, Maine, where balloonists Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman were preparing to make the first ever transatlantic balloon flight on the Double Eagle II. The winds created by Cora's influence would give the hot air balloon the northerly push required for takeoff.<ref name="New Mexican">Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Clear

Tropical Storm Debra

Template:Infobox hurricane small Template:Main A low-pressure area that developed over southeast Florida and an area of convection near the Yucatán Peninsula merged and resulted in the formation of a tropical depression over the southern Gulf of Mexico on August 26. Tacking west-northwestward around a high-pressure ridge, the depression gradually intensified began and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Debra on August 28. Debra turned to the north and reached its peak intensity of Template:Convert on August 29, shortly before making landfall in southwestern Louisiana. It was a disorganized storm, with most of the convection located to the east of the center.<ref name="disc1">Template:Cite report</ref> The system weakened rapidly and dissipated over Arkansas on August 29, though its remnants continued into the Ohio Valley.<ref name="disc1"/><ref name="disc2">Template:Cite report</ref>

One person died while attempting to evacuate an oil rig to the south of Cameron, Louisiana. Damage caused by Debra was considered minimal.<ref name="disc1"/> In Louisiana, rainfall peaked at Template:Convert in Freshwater Bayou.Template:Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima However, no flooding was reported.<ref name="disc1"/> Wind impacts were light and mainly limited to down trees and damage to roofs in Lake Charles and New Orleans.<ref name="spokane">Template:Cite news</ref> The storm spawned several tornadoes in Arkansas,<ref name="ths-4">Template:Cite report</ref> Mississippi, Louisiana,<ref name="disc2"/> Tennessee,<ref name="ths-5">Template:Cite report</ref> and Texas.<ref name="disc2"/> In Mississippi, a tornado in Crystal Springs destroyed three mobile homes and a house, killing one person and seriously injuring another.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Clear

Hurricane Ella

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small Template:Main A cold front spawned a tropical disturbance near Bermuda, which became a tropical depression on August 30. The depression strengthened, and by early on August 31, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Ella. Ship reports indicated that Ella became a hurricane later that day. Further significant intensification occurred, and the storm reached a preliminary peak intensity of Template:Convert. A short-wave trough over the Eastern United States caused Ella to decelerate and turn north.<ref name="etcr1">Template:Cite report</ref> Simultaneously, dry air diminished convection on September 2, which in turn resulted in weakening.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref><ref name="etcr2">Template:Cite report</ref> Eventually, another trough forced Ella to re-curve northeastward, thereby remaining well offshore the East Coast of the United States.<ref name="etcr2"/>

The storm then re-intensified and by 1200 UTC on September 4, Ella peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of Template:Convert. Thereafter, Ella rapidly weakened as it passed offshore Atlantic Canada, before being absorbed by an extratropical storm while located more than Template:Convert northeast of St. John's on September 5.<ref name="etcr2"/> Ella threatened to pass within Template:Convert of North Carolina.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Because of this, a hurricane watch was issued for the Outer Banks of North Carolina during Labor Day Weekend, resulting in a significant decrease in tourism. However, because the storm veered northeastward,<ref name="etcr2"/> little effects other than Template:Convert waves,<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> minor beach erosion, and light winds in coastal portions of North Carolina.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> In Newfoundland, Ella produced rainfall amounts reaching Template:Convert and wind gusts up to Template:Convert.<ref name="Canada">Template:Cite report</ref> Template:Clear

Hurricane Flossie

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small A tropical wave passed westward across Dakar, Senegal on August 31 and entered the Atlantic Ocean later that day. Convection markedly increased over the next few days and by 0000 UTC on September 4, the wave developed into a tropical depression while located about midway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles. Later that day, the Hong Kong Merchant reported tropical storm force winds, thus the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Flossie. It initially tracked northwestward at Template:Convert and minimal strengthening occurred, possibly due to rapid forward speeds. On September 5, the storm curved westward, until turning north on September 7. A high-pressure area transitioned into a trough, causing Flossie to re-curve northeastward and generating strong upper-level winds.<ref name="ftcr1"/>

On September 8, Flossie was downgraded to a tropical depression.<ref name="ftcr1">Template:Cite report</ref> After the trough began weakening, favorable conditions returned, allowing Flossie to re-strengthen into a tropical storm on September 10. Flossie then decelerated and became nearly stationary on September 12. Around that time, the storm was upgraded to a hurricane. Further intensification continued, and Flossie peaked with winds of Template:Convert early on September 13. The storm began turned nearly due northward and began weakening. Flossie accelerated to the northeast and eventually transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while Template:Convert north of the Azores on September 15.<ref name="ftcr2">Template:Cite report</ref> The strong extratropical cyclone brought winds as high as Template:Convert to Fair Isle, Great Britain.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Template:Clear

Hurricane Greta

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small Template:Main A tropical wave developed into a tropical depression near Trinidad on September 13. By the following day, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Greta. It headed westward to west-northwestward across the Caribbean Sea and slowly intensified, becoming a hurricane on September 16.<ref name="gtcr1">Template:Cite web</ref> The rate of intensification increased as Greta was approaching the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Greta briefly peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert and a minimum barometric pressure of Template:Convert, while brushing northeastern Honduras. Although the storm remained offshore, land interaction caused significant weakening. On September 19, Greta made landfall in Stann Creek District, Belize with winds of Template:Convert.<ref name="gtcr2">Template:Cite web</ref> The storm rapidly weakened inland over Central America, but survived its passage and eventually became Hurricane Olivia in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.<ref name="gtcr3">Template:Cite web</ref>

Early in its duration, Greta produced heavy rainfall in the Netherlands Antilles.<ref name="gtcr1"/> With a similar path to Hurricane Fifi four years prior, Greta threatened to reproduce the devastating effects of the catastrophic storm;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> however, damage and loss of life was significantly less than feared.<ref name="gtcr3"/> In Honduras, about 1,200 homes were damaged, about half of which in towns along the coastline.<ref name="west">Template:Cite journal</ref> The storm damaged about 75% of the houses on Roatán along the offshore Bay Islands,<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> and there was one death in the country.<ref name="gtcr3"/> In the Belize Barrier Reef, Greta downed trees and produced high waves,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> while on the mainland, there was minimal flooding despite a high storm surge.<ref name="gtcr3"/> In Dangriga where it made landfall, the hurricane damaged or destroyed 125 houses and the primary hospital.<ref name="hw6">Template:Cite report</ref><ref name="hw7">Template:Cite report</ref> In Belize City, a tornado flipped over a truck and damaged four houses.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Damage in Belize was estimated at $25 million, and there were four deaths.<ref name="gtcr3"/> Template:Clear

Tropical Storm Hope

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small A mid-tropospheric low-pressure area developed over the Southeastern United States on September 10. The system developed into a subtropical depression early on September 12, while located about Template:Convert east of St. Augustine, Florida. Over the next few days, the depression tracked east-northeastward to eastward. While strengthening into a subtropical storm on September 15, it passed just north of Bermuda,<ref name="htcr1">Template:Cite report</ref> but produced only Template:Convert of rain on the island.Template:Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima The storm then made a brief dip to the east-southeast, before resuming its east-northeastward course on September 16. Beginning on the following day, satellite imagery indicated that the system was acquiring tropical characteristics. As a result, it was reclassified as Tropical Storm Hope at 0600 UTC on September 17.<ref name="htcr1"/>

Because Hope remained out of range of reconnaissance aircraft flights, the National Hurricane Center relied on ships and satellite estimates. After becoming a tropical cyclone, Hope began to accelerate while slowly intensifying. Satellite estimates at 1200 UTC on September 19 indicated that the storm attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert and a minimum pressure of Template:Convert, recorded by the S.S. Banglar Mann. While located hundreds of miles north of the Azores on September 20, the storm turned northward<ref name="htcr1"/> and began crossing into sea surface temperatures of Template:Convert.<ref name="hdisc">Template:Cite report</ref> By 1200 UTC on September 21, Hope transitioned into an extratropical cyclone<ref name="htcr1"/> and was absorbed by another extratropical storm while situated about Template:Convert south of Reykjavík, Iceland.<ref name="hdisc"/> Template:Clear

Tropical Storm Irma

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small The origins of Tropical Storm Irma were from a subtropical depression that formed about Template:Convert south of the Azores on October 2. During the next two days, thunderstorm activity gradually increased around the circulation center as the storm drifted northward. On October 2, the storm had taken the appearance of a tropical storm on satellite photographs, and upper-level anticyclonic flow over the center of the storm was evident on satellite time-lapse movies. By the afternoon of October 4, the system had acquired the characteristics of a tropical storm and was named Irma; gale-force winds extended Template:Convert from the center of circulation.<ref name="TCR">Template:Cite report</ref><ref name="ADV1">Template:Cite report</ref>

Six hours after being named, Irma reached its peak intensity of Template:Convert.<ref name="BTK">Template:Cite report</ref> On October 5, Irma turned towards the north-northeast and passed about midway between the central and western Azores.<ref name="TCR" /> Shortly thereafter, Irma became less organized,<ref name="ADV5">Template:Cite report</ref> and that evening was absorbed into an approaching cold front, about Template:Convert northeast of the Azores.<ref name="ADV 6">Template:Cite report</ref> Although Irma passed near parts of the western and central Azores with gale-force winds in some areas, no reports of damage or casualties caused by Irma were received. Several nearby ships reported winds around Template:Convert. It was noted that heavy rains may have occurred on some of the mountainous islands as Irma passed.<ref name="TCR" /> Template:Clear

Tropical Storm Juliet

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small A weak tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Africa on September 30. The wave moved west-northwestward and was centered well east of the Leeward Islands on October 6, when satellite imagery indicated that deep convection became much more concentrated. The following day, ship reports noted that a closed circulation was developing. The system was classified as a tropical depression beginning at 1800 UTC on October 7, while located about Template:Convert east of Puerto Rico. Around midday on October 8, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Juliet.<ref name="jtcr">Template:Cite report</ref>

After peaking with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert and a minimum barometric pressure of Template:Convert early on October 9, Juliet passed north of Puerto Rico.<ref name="jtcr"/> The storm brought light rainfall to the island, peaking at Template:Convert at Toro Negro Plant.Template:Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima The storm then accelerated and curved northwestward, northward, and then northeastward. On October 11, Juliet merged with a frontal zone, while located west-southwest of Bermuda. Later that day, the remnants moved across the island and produced up to Template:Convert of rainfall.<ref name="jtcr"/> Template:Clear

Hurricane Kendra

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small In late October, a tropical wave and an area of disturbed weather combined in the northwestern Caribbean, before crossing Puerto Rico. The system moved northwest and by late on October 28, it became a tropical depression while located about Template:Convert north of Mayaguana in The Bahamas. Early on the following day, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Kendra. The storm quickly intensified while moving either north or north-northwestward and became a hurricane late on October 29. After peaking with winds of Template:Convert on October 30, Kendra weakened significantly to a Template:Convert tropical storm in only 12 hours. Kendra continued north-northeastward or northeastward, before being absorbed by an extratropical cyclone while located west-northwest of Bermuda early on November 1.<ref name="disc1"/>

The precursor system dropped rainfall across much of southern Puerto Rico was at least Template:Convert, with a peak at Template:Convert in Pico del Este.Template:Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima Mudslides and flooding from the heavy precipitation left many roads impassable, washed out or collapsed several bridges, and caused considerable damage to agriculture, especially livestock. Additionally, one fatality occurred and 1,710 families fled their homes for shelters.<ref name="sd11">Template:Cite report</ref> Damage in Puerto Rico reached $6 million. A high-pressure area and Kendra combined produced strong winds and abnormally high tides along the East Coast of the United States, though no damage was reported.<ref name="disc1"/> Template:Clear

Other systems

In addition to the 12 other tropical cyclones, there were several tropical depressions that developed during the season. The first of which formed over the central Gulf of Mexico on June 21. The depression moved northeastward toward Florida and strengthened slightly. It dissipated by late on June 22. Another tropical depression developed about Template:Convert southwest of Porto Novo, Cape Verde on July 10. The system moved generally westward and intensified into a strong tropical depression, before dissipating two days later. Tropical Depression Four formed about Template:Convert east of Barbados on August 7. It tracked westward without significantly intensifying, and passed through the Windward Islands over Bequia on the following day. The depression continued westward and passed near Aruba on August 9. It eventually traversed the Caribbean Sea, and made landfall to the south of Bluefields, Nicaragua on August 11. The depression dissipated shortly thereafter.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

A tropical depression formed in the central Gulf of Mexico on August 9. The storm moved northward and struck southeastern Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana before dissipating the next day. By August 30, another depression developed in the north-central Gulf of Mexico. The system tracked generally eastward and avoided landfall. It dissipated around midday on September 1. Tropical Depression Eight developed over western Senegal around 1200 UTC on September 3. The depression initially headed west-southwestward and soon entered the Atlantic Ocean. Between late on September 4 and early on September 5, the system passed south of Cape Verde. Later that day, the storm began curving west-northwestward. By early on September 7, it was heading northwestward and then turned to the north-northwest the next day. The depression moved northward between September 9 and September 10, before re-curving to the northeast. It dissipated about Template:Convert of Flores Island in the Azores around midday on September 11.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

At 1200 UTC on September 8, Tropical Depression Nine developed over the west-central Gulf of Mexico. Moving generally westward, the depression made landfall south of La Pesca, Tamaulipas, around midday on September 10. The system rapidly weakened inland and dissipated later that day. Another tropical depression formed over western Senegal on September 18. It moved westward across the Atlantic Ocean before curving west-northwestward about three days later. On September 25, the depression moved northwestward and then northward by September 28. It dissipated about Template:Convert east-northeast of Bermuda at 1200 UTC the following day. The next tropical depression developed in the Gulf of Mexico just offshore Campeche on September 21. Moving west-northwestward, the depression made landfall near Tampico on September 23, shortly before dissipating.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

A tropical depression formed at 1200 UTC on October 13, while located about Template:Convert north of Corvo Island in the Azores. The depression initially moved south-southwestward, before curving southwestward by the following day. It then turned west-northwestward on October 15. Late the next day, the depression turned abruptly northward. The system dissipated about Template:Convert west-northwest of Flores Island.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track The next tropical depression developed at 1200 UTC on October 26, while located about Template:Convert south-southwest of the southernmost islands of Cape Verde. It moved generally westward and dissipated about halfway between the Lesser Antilles and the west coast of Africa on October 29. The final tropical depression of the season formed about Template:Convert northeast of North Abaco in the Bahamas on November 3. Moving north-northeastward, the depression turned northeastward by the next day. It dissipated about Template:Convert east of Virginia Beach, Virginia on November 5.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

Storm names

The following list of names was used for named storms that formed in the North Atlantic in 1978.<ref name="NHOP 78">Template:Cite report</ref> Storms were named Amelia, Bess, Cora, Flossie, Hope, Irma, and Juliet for the first time in 1978. This was the last Atlantic hurricane season to utilize only female names for tropical storms. A new set of six annual lists utilizing both female and male names came into use in 1979.<ref name="TC Naming">Template:Cite web</ref>

Amelia Bess Cora Debra Ella Flossie Greta

Hope Irma Juliet Kendra Template:Tcname unused Template:Tcname unused Template:Tcname unused

Template:Tcname unused Template:Tcname unused Template:Tcname unused Template:Tcname unused Template:Tcname unused Template:Tcname unused Template:Tcname unused

Retirement

Template:See also The name Greta was retired after the 1978 season.<ref name="TC Naming"/>

Season effects

This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1978 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, 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 1978 USD.

See also

• 1978 Pacific hurricane season
• 1978 Pacific typhoon season
• 1978 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
• Australian region cyclone seasons: 1977–78, 1978–79
• South Pacific cyclone seasons: 1977–78, 1978–79
• South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1977–78, 1978–79
• South Atlantic tropical cyclone
• Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone

External links

• WPC rainfall page for 1978 tropical cyclones
• Monthly Weather Review