1998 Atlantic hurricane season

The 1998 Atlantic hurricane season was an active, catastrophic, and extremely deadly Atlantic hurricane season, which had the highest number of storm-related fatalities in 2 centuries and ranks as the second-deadliest season on record in the Atlantic, behind the 1780 season. Additionally, the season featured some of the costliest tropical cyclones ever in the basin at the time. The season had above average activity, due to the dissipation of an El Niño event and transition to La Niña conditions. It officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the period during which most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean.

|align="center" colspan="2"|Record high activity

|30

|15

|7†

|align="center" colspan="2"|Record low activity

|0†

|align="left"|WRC

|align="left"|Early 1998

|N/A

|align="left"|CSU

|align="left"|April 1998

|10

CSU began issuing outlooks in December 1997 and initially predicted 9 named storms, 5 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes would occur in the upcoming season. Later, in April 1998, CSU released a forecast calling for 10 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. The predictions by CSU in June and August 1998 remained the same as the forecast in April. The WRC predicted 8 named storms and 5 hurricanes in early 1998, but did not include a forecast for the number of major hurricanes. with the first tropical cyclone developing on July 27. It was an above average season in which 14 tropical cyclones formed. All fourteen depressions attained tropical storm status and ten of these became a hurricane. Three hurricanes further intensified into major hurricanes. The dissipation of an El Niño in April and the development of a La Niña by June was attributed to the above average activity. Three hurricanes and three tropical storms made landfall during the season and caused at least 19,618 deaths and nearly $17.1 billion in damage. Hurricane Danielle also caused damage in Puerto Rico, 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 or tropical storm strength.

Systems

Tropical Storm Alex

A tropical wave emerged off the west coast of Africa on July 26 and rapidly developed a surface circulation by the following day. As a result, it is estimated that Tropical Depression One formed at 1200 UTC on July 27, while centered about south-southwest of Cape Verde. Initially, minimal change in structure or convection occurred. However, after an increase in deep convection and satellite intensity estimates of , the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Alex early on July 29. Under the influence of a deep-layer ridge, the storm tracked west to west-northwestward at . A mid- to upper-level trough located north and west of Alex generated vertical wind shear starting on July 30, allowing for minimal intensification.

Later on July 30, a burst in deep convection resulted in slight strengthening of the storm. At 0000 UTC on July 31, Alex attained its peak intensity with a maximum sustained wind speed of and a minimum atmospheric pressure of . Vertical wind shear prevented Alex from strengthening further and instead caused it to weaken later that day. By August 1, the low-level circulation became exposed to the south of the remaining deep convection. Later that day, Alex curved northwestward and avoided any threat to the Lesser Antilles. At 1800 UTC on August 1, the storm was downgraded to a tropical depression. Early on the following day, Alex was considered dissipated after a reconnaissance aircraft failed to locate a closed low-level circulation.

In South Carolina, strong winds were reported, particularly in Charleston, Georgetown, and Horry Counties. Many trees and power lines were downed in the area; there was also structural damage. The storm caused two deaths and about $25 million in losses in South Carolina. Strong winds lashed Eastern North Carolina, downing numerous trees and power lines, which left about 500,000 people without electricity. One person was killed in Barco when a tree fell on a house. Overall, there were five deaths and at least $720 million in damage,

Tropical Storm Charley

An area of disturbed weather developed into Tropical Depression Three at 0600 UTC on August 21, while located about east-southeast of Brownsville, Texas. The depression moved generally northwestward throughout its duration. Based on data from oil platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Charley at 1800 UTC on August 21. The storm intensified further, with reconnaissance aircraft reporting sustained winds of at 0600 UTC on August 22. Shortly thereafter, Charley weakened and only four hours later, it made landfall near Port Aransas, Texas with winds of . Late on August 22, the system weakened to a tropical depression. Charley persisted as a tropical cyclone for about 24 hours longer, before dissipating near Del Rio, Texas.

Heavy rainfall was reported throughout southern Texas. Del Rio recorded of precipitation in a 24‑hour period, a record for the city. Charley was also responsible for serious local flooding in Val Verde County, Texas, where collectively about 2,000 houses, mobile homes, and apartments were destroyed. In that county alone, damage was estimated at $40 million. Throughout Texas, losses reached about $50 million and 13 deaths were confirmed, with an additional 6 people listed as missing. seven deaths were also reported in the area.

Bermuda issued a tropical storm warning due to the storm. A wind gust of was reported. Danielle washed loose tires ashore North Carolina part of an artificial reef. Governor Jim Hunt requested prison labor and the National Guard to clean up beaches from Brunswick County to Carteret County. Danielle led to a increase in sand along the New Jersey coastline. Danielle produced light rainfall in Newfoundland. The hurricane's waves led to the rescue of Tori Murden, an American attempting to become the first woman to solo row across the Atlantic Ocean. While passing near the British Isles as an extratropical storm, Danielle produced severe sea conditions on the western part of the isles. Major beach erosion was observed, and many people required rescuing. Coastal portions of Cornwall were evacuated as high waves inundated many homes, and an all-terrain police vehicle was shoved into the sea by a rogue wave in the Isles of Scilly. At the West Sands Caravan Park near Selsey, West Sussex, twelve families were evacuated to higher ground. A yacht carrying eight people ran aground near Calshot; they required rescuing. Flash flooding was reported throughout Wiltshire, especially in the town of Melksham. Numerous motorists were left stranded in inundated streets, while water entered several homes, store basements, a fire station, and the Cooper Avon tyre factory.

Hurricane Earl

Tropical Depression Five developed from a tropical wave in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico at 1200 UTC on August 31, while located about midway between Mérida, Yucatán and Tampico, Tamaulipas. The depression is estimated to have strengthened into Tropical Storm Earl six hours later, while located about south-southwest of New Orleans, Louisiana. The storm headed north-northeastward and was difficult to track, due to multiple centers on satellite imagery. Earl slowly curved east-northeastward and continued strengthening, with reconnaissance aircraft data indicating that the storm reached hurricane intensity at 1200 UTC on September 2. It briefly became a Category 2 hurricane about six hours later and peaked with winds of . However, the storm weakened back to a Category 1 hurricane early on September 3, before landfall near Panama City, Florida with winds of . Earl rapidly weakened to a tropical storm about six hours later and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over Georgia late on September 3.

Prodigious precipitation fell during its transit of northern Florida, with near of Panama City.

<!-- Early in its duration, Frances interacted with Tropical Storm Javier in the eastern Pacific, resulting in torrential rainfall over Mexico, peaking at in Escuintla, Chiapas. Severe flooding was also reported in the United States, particularly in Louisiana and Texas. In Texas, flooding was particularly severe in the eastern portions of the state. More than 1,400 homes and businesses in the Houston area alone were either damaged or destroyed by the floods. In the United States, there was about $500 million in damage, as well as two fatalities in Louisiana.

About 2,125 homes were either damaged or destroyed in Antigua and Barbuda, with property losses reaching $160 million; there were also 3 deaths. Strong winds and heavy rainfall in Puerto Rico left 96% of the island without electricity, impacted at least 100,610 homes, wiped out more than two-thirds of crops, and caused 8 deaths and $2 billion in losses. Heavy precipitation in Dominican Republic caused mudslides, which left about 155,000 homeless and damaged buildings and road infrastructure. Additionally, it destroyed 55% of crops, caused at least 380 deaths, and left about $1.2 billion in losses. The situation was similar in Haiti, where mudslides left 167,332 people homeless, 209 persons dead, Extensive crops losses also occurred. Six deaths and $305.8 million in damage were reported in Cuba. One fatality was reported in Mobile when a woman was driving and slid off the road into a creek. Mississippi bore the brunt of the storm in the United States. One of the worst impacted areas inland was Stone County, where 54 homes had minor damage, 26 suffered major damage and 5 were destroyed. Winds also left 230,000 people without electricity. Overall, Georges caused at least 615 deaths and roughly $9.37 billion in losses.

The outer bands of Hermine dropped heavy rainfall throughout Florida. Several traffic accidents occurred as a result, with one man dying after losing control of his vehicle on U.S. Route 441. Effects overall in Louisiana were minimal, mostly minor flooding. Hermine spawned two tornadoes in Mississippi, one of which destroyed two mobile homes, damaged seven cars, and caused one injury. Locally heavy rainfall left parts of Mississippi Highway 27 and U.S. Route 11 in Alabama under water, stranding several motorists.

Hurricane Jeanne

Between September 19 and September 20, a slow-moving tropical wave crossed the west coast of Africa. By the following day, an increase in deep convection allowed it to be classified as Tropical Depression Ten. Forming about west of Guinea-Bissau, it was the easternmost tropical cyclone development in the Atlantic basin since Tropical Storm Christine in 1973. Due to light wind shear, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Jeanne by 1800 UTC on September 21. Further significant intensification occurred and Jeanne became a hurricane about 24 hours later. Late on September 23, the storm became a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. At 1800 UTC on September 24, Jeanne attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of .

After peaking as a moderate Category 2 hurricane, an increase in vertical wind shear slowly weakened the storm. Around that time, Jeanne began curving northwestward. By late on September 25, the storm was downgraded back to a Category 1 hurricane. Three days later, a trough forced Jeanne to accelerate toward the north-northeast. It re-strengthened slightly on September 28, though the storm began weakening again. Late on September 29, Jeanne was downgraded to a tropical storm. Shortly before weakening further to a tropical depression on October 1, a wind gust of was reported on Horta in the Azores. The storm then passed through the Azores, but lost tropical characteristics by 1200 UTC on October 1. The remnant extratropical cyclone struck Portugal on October 4 and became unidentifiable over Spain later that day. Initially, the depression moved quickly towards the east, ahead of a frontal boundary moving off the East Coast of the United States. Early on September 24, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Karl. At the time, the storm began curved east-southeastward and slowed in forward speed. Despite this, Karl strengthened into a hurricane at 1200 UTC on September 25. Karl weakened to a tropical storm at 0000 UTC on September 28, while located near the Azores. Later that day, the storm became extratropical over cooler waters, when the center of circulation became separated from the deep convection. The extratropical remnants were last noted south of Ireland on September 29. Lisa initially tracked northwestward, though by October 6, an upper-level low-pressure system caused the storm to turn northeastward.

A baroclinic trough within the westerlies transitioned into a deep low, causing Lisa to accelerate starting on October 7. no strengthening was predicted. By October 8, convection persisted near the center and banding features developed. Lisa further accelerated, with forward speed reaching over on October 9. Later that day, a deep low to the west and a strong high-pressure system to the east caused Lisa to turn northward. At 1200 UTC on October 9, Lisa unexpectedly strengthened into a hurricane, simultaneously peaking with winds of . Later that day, the storm began merging with an extratropical frontal system and eventually became unidentifiable by early on October 10.

Heavy rainfall in Jamaica flooded numerous houses and caused three fatalities from mudslides. Strong winds, rough seas, and large amounts of precipitation resulted in minor effects in Cuba and the Cayman Islands. Offshore Honduras, the Fantome sank, drowning all 31 people on board. In Honduras, the large and slow-moving storm dropped of rain, Damage totaled about $3.8 billion in Honduras and at least 7,000 fatalities were reported. In Nicaragua, rainfall totals may have reached . Over of roads required replacement or repairs, while effects to agriculture were significant. About 3,800 deaths and $1 billion in damage were reported in Nicaragua.

The storm caused flooding as far south as Panama, where three fatalities occurred. Damage totaled $400 million and 240 deaths were confirmed. Effects were similar but slightly more significant in Guatemala, where 6,000 houses were destroyed and an additional 20,000 were impacted to some degree. Additionally, of roads were affected, with nearly of it being major highways. Crop damage in Guatemala alone was nearly $500 million. It was reported that 268 deaths and $748 million in losses occurred in Guatemala. The storm caused relatively minor effects in Mexico and Belize, with 9 and 11 fatalities in both countries, respectively. The low-level circulation became almost entirely devoid of deep convection. As a result, the National Hurricane Center discontinued advisories on Nicole at 1500 UTC on November 26 and did not forecast re-development. However, post-analysis indicates that Nicole remained a tropical cyclone. Deep convection began re-developing and about three hours later, Nicole was upgraded back to a tropical storm. Under the influence of a cold front, Nicole curved northeastward starting on November 27. While crossing sea surface temperatures that were above normal, the storm began to significantly intensify. After development of an eye and increasing satellite intensity estimates, Nicole was upgraded to a hurricane early on November 30. Twenty-four hours later, Nicole attained its peak intensity with a maximum sustained wind speed of and a minimum atmospheric pressure of . However, Nicole weakened to a tropical storm later on December 1, while also losing tropical characteristics. By 1800 UTC that day, the storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while located northwest of the Azores. This is the same list used in the 1992 season, with the exception of Alex, which replaced Andrew. The names Alex, Lisa, Mitch, and Nicole were used for the first (and only in the case of Mitch) time this year.

{| style="width:90%;"

Alex
Bonnie
Charley
Danielle
Earl
Frances
Georges

Hermine
Ivan
Jeanne
Karl
Lisa
Mitch
Nicole

Retirement

The World Meteorological Organization retired the names Georges and Mitch in the spring of 1999 from the Atlantic hurricane name lists due to the damage and number of deaths each one caused and they will never be used again for Atlantic tropical cyclones. They were replaced by Gaston and Matthew for the 2004 season.

Season effects

This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1998 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 1998 USD.

Notes

References

External links

National Hurricane Center Website
Monthly Weather Review
National Hurricane Center 1998 Atlantic hurricane season summary
U.S. Rainfall from Tropical Cyclones in 1998