2018 Atlantic hurricane season
| First system formed | May 29, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Last system dissipated | December 7, 2018 |
| Strongest storm1 | Isaac – 932 mbar (hPa) (27.52 inHg), 150 mph (240 km/h) |
| Total depressions | 18 |
| Total storms | 14 |
| Hurricanes | 9 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 5 |
| Total fatalities | TBA |
| Total damage | Unknown |
| 1Strongest storm is determined by lowest pressure | |
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 | |
Storms[edit | edit source]
Hurricane Alberto[edit | edit source]
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Duration | May 29 — May 31 |
| Peak Intensity | 100 mph (1-min), 977 mbar |
Early May 29, a cold front situated over the Turks & Caicos stalled while embedded in weak steering currents. Further west, a broadband area of disturbed weather developed over Cuba and began pulling moisture from the nearby frontal system. This disturbance developed into a tropical depression, the first of the season. By 1800 UTC the same day, the depression was named tropical storm Alberto, producing sustained winds of 55mph. Moving northwest, the storm gradually intensified, becoming a Category 1 hurricane by 00:00 UTC, May 30. Alberto moved through the Bahamas at this intensity, with gusts of up to 110mph recorded in Nassau. The hurricane produced minimal flooding due to its fast movement, though it downed several trees and powerlines, killing 1 man directly when his car was hit by a falling tree.
By 0900 UTC, Alberto had intensified into a Category 2 storm, with 100mph sustained winds. Its outer rainbands produced minor flash flooding in the florida Keys as it passed. However, it curved to the northeast and began to accelerate into the north atlantic, becoming extratropical. Cold waters and moderate wind shear weakened the storm, as it returned to a tropical storm early on May 31. Alberto finally dissipated around Midday over the North Atlantic.
Tropical Storm Beryl[edit | edit source]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Duration | June 12 — June 16 |
| Peak Intensity | 60 mph (1-min), 992 mbar |
Beryl was a damaging storm, forming early on June 16 as a depression in the south Carribean sea. It strengthened into a tropical storm later that day, and slowly moved west at 5mph, maintaining winds of 40mph for 48 hours straight. Beryl intensified slightly, reaching 60mph sustained winds, at approximately 1200 UTC on June 15. Just 3 hours later, it made landfall on the Nicaraguan-Costa Rican border, bringing a 6ft storm surge. Beryl damaged power lines and disrupted travel in coastal Nicaragua. However, the storm quickly weakened, becoming a remnant low over central Nicaragua by 0300 on June 16.
No fatalities were recorded.
Hurricane Chris[edit | edit source]
Category 4 major hurricane Maximum 1-minute sustained winds: 130mph Formed: July 15th Dissipated: July 26th Lowest pressure: 911mba
Areas affected: Mexico Fatalities: 13 6 direct, 0 indirect
Hurricane Chris began as a tropical wave, 200 miles north of the Nassau, Bahamas, late on July 15. It became a depression the next day, moving southeast towards Florida as it intensified due to low wind shear.
As a tropical storm with a clear eye becoming apparent late on July 17, winds of 70mph, Chris made landfall on the Florida coast that night, having claimed the life of a surfer caught in a powerful rip current. Passing directly over Miami, and later, Key West, Chris weakened to a minimal tropical storm, with winds of 35mph.
Minimal wind damage was recorded, and flooding was minor.
As Chris emerged into the gulf of Mexico, it moved slowly southeast, picking up strength due to favourable conditions. On July 20, the storm gained Category 1 strength, with 75mph winds. Its outer rainbands produced 8in of rain over western Cuba that afternoon and evening, causing no fatalities.
After putting out a mayday call at approximately 0900 UTC, a yacht sank on July 21, in the gulf of Mexico after succumbing to unusually high waves, while in the eyewall of the hurricane, which had intensified, with Category 2 winds of 105mph. A total of 4 people were killed, including a young boy.
After strengthening further to a Category 3 hurricane on July 23, with 115mph winds, Chris' eye parallelled the nortern coast of the Yucatan peninsula, damaging roofs, trees, and powerlines, resulting in the fatal electrocution of a woman in El Cuyo, who had been attempting to secure the powerline herself.
At 0600, July 25, Chris made landfall 30mi north of Veracruz, Mexico at peak intensity of 130mph winds, making it a weak Category 4 hurricane. Many homes were damaged, particularly roofs. Trees and powerlines also suffered considerable wind damage, leaving 2 million without power for up to 3 weeks after the storm. Storm surge was low, at 6ft at landfall.
7 people were killed; 2 men and 4 women died as the house in which they were squatting collapsed due to flooding. Authorities have confirmed the house was already unsafe and derelict. One man was swept away when a river burst its banks.
Hurricane Chris rapidly deteriorated over the mountainous terrain of Mexico, weakening to a Category 1 storm by 0300, July 26. By 2100 the same day, the storm's remnants had moved across Mexico, dissipating off the Pacific coast.
