Timeline of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season

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Timeline of the
2018 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Season boundaries
First system formedMay 25, 2018
Last system dissipatedOctober 31, 2018
Strongest system
NameMichael
Maximum winds160 mph (260 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
Lowest pressure919 mbar (hPa; 27.14 inHg)
Longest lasting system
NameFlorence
Duration17.75 days
Storm articles
Other years
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season was an event in the annual hurricane season in the north Atlantic Ocean. It was an above-average season for tropical cyclones for the third consecutive year. Though the season officially began on June 1, 2018 and ended November 30, 2018, dates adopted by convention and historically describe the period during each year when most tropical cyclones form,[1] it effectively started with the formation of Tropical Storm Alberto on May 25.[2] The season's final storm, Hurricane Oscar, dissipated on October 31.[3]

The year produced sixteen tropical depressions, all but one of which further intensified into named tropical storms. Of the fifteen named storms, eight developed into hurricanes, and two further intensified into major hurricanes, which are rated Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale. These two major hurricanes contributed to a majority of the season's severe destruction and loss of life, mainly in the United States.

Hurricane Florence formed near Cabo Verde on August 31, steered toward the west-northwest with little exception by a large area of high pressure to its north. The cyclone strengthened amid favorable environmental factors, becoming a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) at its peak, but weakening occurred before Florence struck the coastline of North Carolina near Wrightsville Beach on September 14, with winds of 90 mph (140 km/h). Florence dealt a devastating blow to the Carolinas as it meandered across the region. Catastrophic, record-breaking flooding contributed to a majority of the storm's $24 billion in damage and 52 deaths, though significant storm surge along the coastline as well as an inland tornado outbreak caused severe damage as well.[4] In early October, Hurricane Michael formed in the western Caribbean Sea, resulting in significant flooding across Central America and Cuba. However, the majority of the storm's impact was felt in the Florida Panhandle, where Michael struck the coastline near Mexico Beach as a Category 5 hurricane, with winds of 160 mph (260 km/h). This constituted the first landfall of a Category 5 hurricane in the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and only the fifth in recorded history, alongside "Labor Day", Camille, and "Okeechobee". In addition, Michael became the third deepest by atmospheric pressure, the fourth strongest by maximum winds, and the latest Category 5 hurricane to strike the United States on record. Michael killed 74 people and caused $25 billion in damage.[5]

This timeline documents tropical cyclone formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, and dissipations during the season. It includes information that was not released throughout the season, meaning that data from post-storm reviews by the National Hurricane Center, such as a storm that was not initially warned upon, has been included.

By convention, meteorologists use one time zone when issuing forecasts and making observations: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and also use the 24-hour clock (where 00:00 = midnight UTC).[6] The National Hurricane Center uses both UTC and the time zone where the center of the tropical cyclone is currently located. The time zones utilized (east to west) prior to 2020 were: Atlantic, Eastern, and Central.[7] In this timeline, all information is listed by UTC first with the respective regional time included in parentheses. Additionally, figures for maximum sustained winds and position estimates are rounded to the nearest 5 units (knots, miles, or kilometers), following the convention used in the National Hurricane Center's products. Direct wind observations are rounded to the nearest whole number. Atmospheric pressures are listed to the nearest millibar and nearest hundredth of an inch of mercury.

Timeline[edit]

Hurricane MichaelHurricane Leslie (2018)Tropical Storm Kirk (2018)Tropical Storm Gordon (2018)Hurricane FlorenceHurricane Chris (2018)Hurricane BerylTropical Storm Alberto (2018)Saffir–Simpson scale

May[edit]

May 25

May 26

A track map of Tropical Storm Alberto
Storm path of Tropical Storm Alberto

May 28

May 29

May 31

June[edit]

June 1

  • The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins.[1]
  • No tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean during the month of June.

July[edit]

July 4

Visible satellite imagery of a small but well-defined hurricane on July 6.
Hurricane Beryl on July 6

July 5

July 6

July 7

July 8

Visible satellite imagery of Hurricane Chris with a well-defined eye east of North Carolina on July 10.
Chris as an intensifying Category 1 hurricane on July 10

July 10

July 11

July 12

July 14

July 16

August[edit]

A track map of Tropical Storm Debby
Storm path of Tropical Storm Debby

August 7

August 8

August 9

August 15

A track map of Tropical Storm Ernesto
Storm path of Tropical Storm Ernesto

August 16

August 17

August 18

August 31

September[edit]

A visible satellite image of a tropical storm prior to making landfall near the Alabama–Mississippi border on September 4
Gordon shortly before landfall on September 4.

September 1

September 3

September 4

September 5

September 6

September 7

Visible satellite imagery of a large and fairly well organized hurricane in the eastern Atlantic on September 11.
Hurricane Helene on September 11

September 8

September 9

A track map of Hurricane Isaac
Storm path of Hurricane Isaac

September 10

A visible satellite imagery of an exceptionally well-defined and intense hurricane on September 11
Hurricane Florence at peak strength on September 11.

September 11

September 12

September 13

September 14

A track map of Tropical Storm Joyce
Storm path of Tropical Storm Joyce

September 15

September 16

September 17

September 19

A track map of Tropical Depression Eleven
Storm path of Tropical Depression Eleven

September 21

September 22

September 23

September 25

Visible satellite imagery of a strong tropical storm east of the Lesser Antilles on September 26.
Tropical Storm Kirk near peak intensity on September 26.

September 26

September 28

September 29

October[edit]

A track map of Hurricane Leslie
Storm path of Hurricane Leslie

October 3

October 4

October 7

October 8

October 9

Visible satellite imagery of an exceptionally powerful and well-defined Hurricane Michael shortly before making landfall in Florida on October 10.
Michael minutes before moving ashore as a Category 5 hurricane on October 10

October 10

A track map of Tropical Storm Nadine
Storm path of Tropical Storm Nadine

October 11

October 12

October 13

October 26

October 27

Visible satellite imagery of an intense yet fairly asymmetric Hurricane Oscar on October 29
Oscar as an intensifying hurricane on October 29

October 28

October 29

October 30

October 31

November[edit]

  • No tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean during the month of November.

November 30

  • The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends.[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Dorst, Neal (June 1, 2018). "Hurricane Season Information". Frequently Asked Questions About Hurricanes. Miami, Florida: NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Berg, Robbie (October 18, 2018). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Alberto (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Brown, Daniel (February 19, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Oscar (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Stewart, Stacy; Berg, Robbie (May 3, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Florence (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Beven, John; Berg, Robbie; Hagen, Andrew (April 19, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Michael (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  6. ^ "Understanding the Date/Time Stamps". Miami, Florida: NOAA National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  7. ^ "Update on National Hurricane Center Products and Services for 2020" (PDF). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. April 20, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Avila, Lixion; Fritz, Cody (September 20, 2018). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Beryl (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Blake, Eric (December 14, 2018). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Chris (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  10. ^ a b c d Pasch, Richard (March 28, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Debby (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Beven, John (April 2, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Ernesto (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Brown, Daniel; Latto, Andrew; Berg, Robbie (February 19, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Gordon (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i Cangialosi, John (December 13, 2018). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Helene (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Zelinsky, David (January 30, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Isaac (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  15. ^ a b c d e Berg, Robbie (January 30, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Joyce (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c Avila, Lixion (November 9, 2018). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Depression Eleven (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h Blake, Eric (January 29, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Kirk (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Pasch, Richard; Roberts, David (March 29, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Leslie (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  19. ^ a b c d e Stewart, Stacy (March 22, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Nadine (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 5, 2019.

External links[edit]