1988 Atlantic hurricane season

Template:Short description Template:Pp-move Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox tropical cyclone season The 1988 Atlantic hurricane season was a near average 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. 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.<ref name=TCclimate>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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. Until the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, it was the latest season to have multiple Atlantic-Pacific crossover storms.

There were two notable cyclones of the season, the first one being 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 $2.98 billion in damage (1988 USD)<ref group="nb">All damage figures are in 1988 United States dollars, unless otherwise noted</ref> and more than 300 deaths, mostly in Mexico. The second one was 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Seasonal forecasts

Predictions of tropical activity in the 1988 season

Source	Date	Named storms	Hurricanes	Major hurricanes
WRC<ref name="wrc"/>	Early 1988	8	5	Unknown
CSU<ref name=CSUpredic/>	June	11	7	Unknown
CSU<ref name="csu2"/>	August	11	7	Unknown
Record high activity<ref name="CSU Atl">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>	30	15	7 (Tie)
Record low activity<ref name="CSU Atl"/>		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.<ref name=CSUpredic>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="csu1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In August, CSU opted to not alter their forecast, continuing to call for eleven named storms and seven hurricanes.<ref name="csu2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Additionally, the Weather Research Center (WRC) issued a prediction in early 1988, forecasting eight named storms and five hurricanes.<ref name="wrc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Seasonal summary

{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1,<ref name=TCclimate/> 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.<ref name="TDs1988"/> 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,<ref name="1988 AHS"/> only 6 days before the official end of the season on November 30.<ref name=TCclimate/>

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.<ref name="TDs1988"/> The official storm track forecast errors were Template:Nowrap lower than the average for the previous 10 years.<ref name="1988 AHS"/> The Template:Nowrap forecasts were the most accurate in more than 18 years and were also more accurate than in each subsequent season until 1996.<ref name=forecasts>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 103, which is classified as "near normal".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="background">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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 Template:Convert, which is tropical storm strength.<ref name="background"/>

Systems

Tropical Depression One

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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.<ref name="ap0601am"> Template:Cite news</ref> The depression remained weak and degenerated on June 2 into an open trough of low pressure in the Florida Straits.<ref name="TDs1988"/>

Rainfall from the depression and its precursor peaked at Template:Convert, including a daily peak of Template:Convert.<ref name="CUBARAIN">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The rainfall most affected the province of Cienfuegos, though the provinces of Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, and Camagüey were also impacted.<ref name="cubagua">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A tornado in the city of Camagüey destroyed five Soviet planes and multiple buildings.<ref name="ap0602am">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="ap0602am"/> Flooding from the depression damaged 1,000 houses and destroyed 200 homes in Camagüey Province alone.<ref name="ria0608">Template:Cite news</ref> Throughout Cuba, the depression affected about 90,000 people, injuring dozens<ref name="rwtd1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and killing a total of 37 people,<ref name="cubagua"/> including three who died from electrocution.<ref name="ap0602am"/> In Florida, the depression produced light rain, including Template:Convert at Pompano Beach.<ref name="td1rain">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Tropical Storm Alberto

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small 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.<ref name="1988 AHS"/> 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 at 41.5°N, while located just south of Nantucket, Massachusetts, becoming the northernmost system to intensify into a tropical storm on record.<ref name="albertotcr1">Template:Cite report</ref><ref group="nb">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.</ref> The storm accelerated northeastward at Template:Convert and struck western Nova Scotia that evening with little impact.<ref name="albertotcr1" /><ref name="chc88" /> On August 8 Alberto became extratropical over the cold waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Shortly thereafter it dissipated just north of Newfoundland.<ref name="albertotcr1"/>

The storm produced peak wind gusts of Template:Convert at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Rainfall reached Template:Convert in Saint John, New Brunswick,<ref name="chc88">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> most of which fell in a short amount of time. The rainfall caused localized flooding, which briefly closed some streets.<ref name="ts88">Template:Cite news Template:Free access</ref> The extratropical remnants of Alberto also produced light rain and some clouds along western Newfoundland.<ref name="chc88"/>

Tropical Storm Beryl

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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.<ref name="beryltcr1">Template:Cite report</ref> By August 8 surface winds increased enough to issue tropical storm warnings for Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.<ref name="1988 AHS"/> Over the open Gulf, Beryl produced sustained winds of minimal tropical storm force and tropical storm force gusts over coastal Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.<ref name="beryltcr2">Template:Cite report</ref> Excessive rain fell along the central Gulf Coast, including local amounts of Template:Convert at Dauphin Island, Alabama.<ref name="berylrain">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref name="berylrain"/> 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 Template:Convert of rain to parts of eastern Texas. Overall damage from the storm was light, and only one known death was attributed to the storm.<ref name="beryltcr3">Template:Cite report</ref>

Tropical Depression Four

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small 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.<ref name="TDs1988"/><ref name="upi0813bc">Template:Cite news</ref> The system spawned gusty winds and thunderstorms along the coasts of Florida and Georgia but caused little damage.<ref name="upi0813bc"/> The storm moved over south Georgia and the central Gulf Coast while dropping up to Template:Convert of rain on the Southeast.<ref name="td4rain">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> According to the National Weather Service, winds in some squalls to the north and east of the center reached up to Template:Convert.<ref name="ap0813am">Template:Cite news Template:Free access</ref> The system finally dissipated as it reemerged over water near the mouth of the Mississippi.<ref name="td4rain"/>

Early predictions from hurricane forecasters said that the depression would strengthen into the season's third tropical storm.<ref name="upi0814am">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="upi0813bc"/>

Tropical Depression Five

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small 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.<ref name="TDs1988"/> 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.<ref name="upi0820am">Template:Cite news</ref>

By August 24 the depression's forward speed had increased to Template:Convert as its movement turned west. Cool ocean temperatures weakened the system and diminished its prospects for restrengthening,<ref name="ap0823am">Template:Cite news Template:Free access</ref> and on August 26, Tropical Depression Five degenerated into a tropical wave. The remnants redeveloped on August 30 about Template:Convert southeast of North Carolina, 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.<ref name="TDs1988"/>

Tropical Depression Six

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small 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.<ref name="kristytcr1">Template:Cite report</ref> 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.<ref name="upi0821bc">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="upi0823am">Template:Cite news</ref> The disturbance moved over Central America with minimal convection but redeveloped into Hurricane Kristy once it reached the eastern Pacific.<ref name="kristytcr1"/> The system's main effect on land was squally weather on the Windward Islands.<ref name="TDs1988"/>

Tropical Storm Chris

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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.<ref name="christcr1"/> The storm tracked westward along the southern periphery of a subtropical high pressure ridge over the mid-Atlantic. For the next seven days, surface and reconnaissance observations found little evidence that the storm was strengthening.<ref name="christcr1"/> As a result, it remained a tropical depression as it moved across portions of the Lesser and Greater Antilles as well as the Bahamas.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

The depression passed south of Puerto Rico on August 24 and dumped more than Template:Convert of rain on parts of the island.<ref name="chrisrain">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Three deaths in Puerto Rico were attributed to the weather.<ref name="christcr2">Template:Cite report</ref> 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.<ref name="christcr2"/> 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.<ref name="chrisrain"/> Heavy thunderstorms spawned a tornado in South Carolina that resulted in another death.<ref name="christcr1">Template:Cite report</ref>

Hurricane Debby

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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.<ref name="1988 AHS"/> 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.<ref name="debbytcr1">Template:Cite report</ref>

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.<ref name="debbytcr1"/> At peak intensity, the hurricane's center was just Template:Convert from the coast. With little change in intensity, Debby made landfall near Tuxpan, Veracruz, six hours later.<ref name="debbytcr1"/> The storm brought high winds, inland flooding, and mudslides and caused 10 deaths.<ref name="debbytcr2">Template:Cite report</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>

Tropical Storm Ernesto

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small 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.<ref name="ernestotcr1">Template:Cite report</ref> Under the influence of southwesterlies, the depression accelerated northeastward at Template:Convert. Late on September 3 it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Ernesto. The storm continued to strengthen as it lost tropical characteristics.<ref name="ernestotcr3">Template:Cite report</ref> 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.<ref name="1988 AHS"/>

Tropical Depression Ten

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small 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 Template:Convert west-southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana.<ref name="ap0903am">Template:Cite news</ref> Forecasters issued tropical storm warnings for the coast from Cameron, Louisiana, to Apalachicola, Florida, while the storm moved rapidly northeastward at 15 to Template:Convert.<ref name="TDs1988"/> 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 Template:Convert, and moderate to heavy rains drenched large portions of southeast Texas and Louisiana.<ref name="TDs1988"/> The wave dampened over the next 24 hours and brought heavy rain to the rest of the southeast, including a maximum of Template:Convert in Biloxi, Mississippi.<ref name="td10rain">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Unnamed tropical storm

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small 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 Template:Convert 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.<ref name="unnamedtcr1">Template:Cite report</ref><ref name="unnamedtcr4">Template:Cite report</ref>

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.<ref name="unnamedtcr1"/> 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.<ref name="1988 AHS"/>

Hurricane Florence

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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.<ref name="florencetcr1">Template:Cite report</ref>

The depression drifted eastward under the influence of the dissipating frontal trough and intensified into Tropical Storm Florence, as confirmed by hurricane hunters.<ref name="florencetcr1"/> 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.<ref name="1988 AHS"/> 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.<ref name="florencetcr1"/>

Early in its duration the system dropped moderate amounts of rainfall across the Yucatán Peninsula.<ref name="florencerain">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Upon striking Louisiana, storm surge water levels rose moderately above normal just east of where the center moved ashore.<ref name="florencetcr2">Template:Cite report</ref> 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.<ref name="florencetcr3">Template:Cite report</ref>

Hurricane Gilbert

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The 13th tropical depression formed from a tropical wave just east of the Lesser Antilles on September 8. As it moved west-northwest, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Gilbert on September 9, shortly before passing over Guadeloupe. 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.<ref name="gilberttcr1"/> The cyclone became the first to strike Jamaica at hurricane intensity since Charlie in 1951.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> When the center reemerged over water, Gilbert rapidly intensified again. On September 13,<ref name="gilberttcr1"/> the central pressure dropped Template:Convert, the fastest deepening of an Atlantic hurricane on record until 2005's Hurricane Wilma.<ref name="WilmaTCR">Template:Cite report</ref> Gilbert's pressure of Template:Convert at the time was the lowest sea-level pressure ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere,<ref name="gilberttcr1">Template:Cite report</ref> and the lowest in the Atlantic basin until Wilma.<ref name="WilmaTCR"/>

Gilbert weakened slightly before landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula, although it struck at Category 5 strength. Until 2007's Hurricane Dean, Gilbert was the most recent storm to make landfall as a Category 5 hurricane in Mexico. 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 Template:Convert. 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.<ref name="gilberttcr1"/>

The storm caused $2.98 billion in damage and 318 deaths across the Caribbean and into Central America,<ref name="gilberttcr2"/>Template:EM-DAT<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="AssociatedPress915">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Adjustments"/> with Jamaica and Mexico particularly hard hit.<ref name="gilberttcr2">Template:Cite report</ref> In the former, heavy rains and strong winds destroyed or damaged crops, roads, small aircraft, and structures,<ref name="nlj">Template:Cite report</ref> including nearly 240,000 low-incoming housing units and about 95% of health care facilities.<ref name="undro15">Template:Cite report</ref><ref name="crid">Template:Cite report</ref> Extensive argicultural losses were also reported, especially to banana crops and the poultry industry.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At least $800 million in damage and 45 fatalities occurred on Jamaica,<ref name="gilberttcr2"/><ref name="nlj"/> while sources such as the NHC place the damage total closer to $2 billion.<ref name="gilberttcr2"/> In Mexico, wind gusts may have reached Template:Convert in the Yucatán Peninsula,<ref name="kirby">Template:Cite news</ref> although no wind reports from the country are known. Gilbert destroyed over 60,000 homes throughout the country. Overall, 202 deaths and $2 billion in damage occurred in Mexico. Flooding in the Monterrey metropolitan area led to many of those fatalities.<ref name="gilberttcr2"/> A large tornado outbreak was reported in the United States, with Storm Data documenting 47 twisters – 41 in Texas, 3 in Alabama, 2 in Mississippi, and 1 each in Louisiana and Oklahoma.<ref name="sd">Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Rp

Hurricane Helene

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small 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 Template:Convert and the minimum pressure of Template:Convert.<ref name="helenetcr1">Template:Cite report</ref>

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 Template:Convert. 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 Template:Convert in Cape Verde on September 17.<ref name="helenetcr1"/>

Tropical Depression Fifteen

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small 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 Template:Convert south-southeast of Cape Verde.<ref name="ap0927am">Template:Cite news</ref> The depression tracked westward at 15 to Template:Convert 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.<ref name="TDs1988"/>

Tropical Storm Isaac

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 23. It traveled westward at a low latitude along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (or ITCZ), and its convection gradually grew more organized.<ref name="isaactcr1">Template:Cite report</ref> On September 29 it was identified as Tropical Depression Sixteen about Template:Convert 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. 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.<ref name="1988 AHS"/> 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.<ref name="isaactcr1"/> The remnants of Isaac eventually regenerated in the eastern Pacific Ocean basin as Tropical Depression Twenty-E.<ref name="tc20ed1103Z">Template:Cite report</ref>

As a tropical cyclone, Isaac did not significantly affect land.<ref name="prelim2">Template:Cite report</ref> However, the remnants dropped heavy rainfall across Trinidad and Tobago, causing flooding and mudslides that injured 20 people<ref name="upi"/> and left at least 30 homeless.<ref>Template:Cite news Template:Free access</ref> Flash flooding in Morvant killed two people.<ref name="upi">Template:Cite news</ref> Across the country, the storm damaged roads and bridges.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>

Hurricane Joan

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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.<ref name="joantcr7">Template:Cite report</ref> 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 Template:Convert 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. Joan reached its peak intensity just before making landfall near Bluefields, Nicaragua, on October 22 as a Category 4 hurricane.<ref name="joantcr2">Template:Cite report</ref> Joan at the time was the southernmost Category 4 hurricane ever recorded,<ref name="joantcr1"/> but this record has since been broken by Hurricane Ivan.<ref name="IvanTCR">Template:Cite report</ref> 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.<ref name="joantcr2"/>

Hurricane Joan killed 148 people in Nicaragua and 68 others in affected nations.<ref name="joantcr3">Template:Cite report</ref> The hurricane damage in Nicaragua amounted to half of the $1.87 billion total. Joan also brought heavy rainfall and mudslides to countries along the extreme southern Caribbean.<ref name="joantcr2"/> 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.<ref name="joantcr1">Template:Cite report</ref> Joan was also the first tropical cyclone to cross from the Atlantic basin since Hurricane Greta of 1978.<ref name="noaafaqe">Template:Cite report</ref>

Tropical Depression Eighteen

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small A westward-moving tropical wave, that left the coast of Africa in early October, tracked closely behind Hurricane Joan through the southern Caribbean.<ref name="ap1020am">Template:Cite news</ref> In an unusual occurrence the disturbance developed into the 18th tropical depression about Template:Convert 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.<ref name="upi1021pm">Template:Cite news</ref> The system gradually dissipated on October 21 while Joan was experiencing rapid strengthening just before its arrival on the coast of Nicaragua.<ref name="joantcr2"/> The depression brought heavy rain to the Netherlands Antilles.<ref name="TDs1988"/> News reports blamed Tropical Depression Eighteen and other tropical systems for bringing swarms of pink locusts from Africa to Trinidad and other Caribbean nations.<ref name="ap1020am"/>

Tropical Storm Keith

Template:Infobox tropical cyclone small {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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 and became organized enough to attain tropical storm status on November 20. Keith rapidly organized and peaked with winds of Template:Convert 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.<ref name="1988 AHS"/><ref name="keithtcr1">Template:Cite report</ref> 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.<ref name="1988 AHS"/><ref name="keithtcr2">Template:Cite report</ref>

Early in its duration Keith produced moderate to heavy rainfall in Honduras, Jamaica, and Cuba.<ref name="ap1120">Template:Cite news Template:Free access</ref><ref name="ap1122">Template:Cite news Template:Free access</ref><ref name="keithtcr3">Template:Cite report</ref> Minimal damage was reported in Mexico, still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Gilbert two months earlier.<ref name="gam1122">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="1988 AHS"/> Overall damage was widespread but fairly minor, totaling about $7.3 million.<ref name="keithtcr3"/><ref name="damtotpi">Template:Cite news Template:Free access</ref> 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.<ref name="keithtcr3"/>

Storm names

Template:See also The following list of names was used for named storms that formed in the north Atlantic in 1988.<ref name="NHOP 88">Template:Cite report</ref> This is the same list used for the 1982 season.<ref name="NHOP 82">Template:Cite report</ref> Storms were named Gilbert, Isaac, Joan and Keith for the first (and only in the cases of Gilbert and Joan) time in 1988. The names Florence and Helene had been previously used under the old naming convention.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Alberto Beryl Chris Debby Ernesto Florence Gilbert

Helene Isaac Joan Keith 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 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They were replaced with Gordon and Joyce for the 1994 season.<ref name="NHOP 94">Template:Cite report</ref>

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. Template:Saffir-Simpson small Template:TC stats table start3 Template:TC stats cyclone3<ref name="cubagua" /><ref name="TDs1988">Template:Cite journal</ref> Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3<ref name="Adjustments">Template:Cite report</ref><ref name="1988 AHS">Template:Cite journal</ref> Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3<ref name="1988 AHS"/> Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats table end3

See also

• 1988 Pacific hurricane season
• 1988 Pacific typhoon season
• 1988 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
• South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1987–88, 1988–89
• Australian region cyclone seasons: 1987–88, 1988–89
• South Pacific cyclone seasons: 1987–88, 1988–89
• South Atlantic tropical cyclone
• Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone

External links

• Monthly Weather Review
• Detailed information on all storms from 1988
• Information concerning U.S. rainfall from tropical cyclones in 1988
• HURDAT archive on 1988 season