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 Andrewin1992, 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.
18:00 UTC (1:00 a.m. CDT) at 22°36′N85°18′W / 22.6°N 85.3°W / 22.6; -85.3 – The subtropical depression intensifies into Subtropical Storm Alberto roughly 60 miles (97 km) north-northwest of the western tip of Cuba.[2]
Storm path of Tropical Storm Alberto
May 28
00:00 UTC (7:00 p.m. CDT May 27) at 28°12′N85°48′W / 28.2°N 85.8°W / 28.2; -85.8 – Subtropical Storm Alberto transitions to a tropical storm and concurrently attains maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) approximately 115 mi (185 km) south-southwest of Apalachicola, Florida.[2]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 10°30′N44°36′W / 10.5°N 44.6°W / 10.5; -44.6 – Tropical Storm Beryl rapidly intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane, simultaneously attaining its peak intensity with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a pressure of 991 mbar (991 hPa; 29.3 inHg), approximately 1,020 miles (1,640 km) southeast of Barbados.[8]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. EDT) at 33°06′N75°24′W / 33.1°N 75.4°W / 33.1; -75.4 – Tropical Depression Three intensifies into Tropical Storm Chris approximately 150 miles (240 km) south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.[9]
Chris as an intensifying Category 1 hurricane on July 10
July 10
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. EDT) at 32°54′N73°30′W / 32.9°N 73.5°W / 32.9; -73.5 – Tropical Storm Chris intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane roughly 200 miles (320 km) southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.[9]
July 11
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. EDT July 10) at 33°54′N71°54′W / 33.9°N 71.9°W / 33.9; -71.9 – Hurricane Chris rapidly intensifies into a Category 2 hurricane and simultaneously attains its peak intensity with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) and a pressure of 969 mbar (969 hPa; 28.6 inHg) approximately 240 miles (390 km) east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.[9]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 45°42′N56°24′W / 45.7°N 56.4°W / 45.7; -56.4 – Tropical Storm Chris transitions into an extratropical cyclone approximately 75 miles (121 km) south of Saint-Pierre, Saint Pierre and Miquelon.[9]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST August 7) at 39°42′N49°12′W / 39.7°N 49.2°W / 39.7; -49.2 – Subtropical Storm Debby transitions into a tropical storm about 960 miles (1,540 km) west of the westernmost Azores.[10]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 45°06′N42°00′W / 45.1°N 42.0°W / 45.1; -42.0 – Tropical Storm Debby degenerates to a remnant low approximately 545 miles (877 km) east-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland.[10]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 37°48′N45°54′W / 37.8°N 45.9°W / 37.8; -45.9 – Subtropical Depression Five intensifies into Subtropical Storm Ernesto roughly 710 miles (1,140 km) southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland.[11]
Storm path of Tropical Storm Ernesto
August 16
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 41°30′N43°48′W / 41.5°N 43.8°W / 41.5; -43.8 – Subtropical Storm Ernesto attains peak winds of 45 mph (72 km/h) approximately 585 miles (941 km) southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland.[11]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 42°24′N42°06′W / 42.4°N 42.1°W / 42.4; -42.1 – Subtropical Storm Ernesto transitions into a tropical storm about 615 miles (990 km) southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland.[11]
August 17
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 48°18′N31°48′W / 48.3°N 31.8°W / 48.3; -31.8 – Tropical Storm Ernesto attains a minimum pressure of 1,003 mbar (1,003 hPa; 29.6 inHg) roughly 1,000 miles (1,600 km) east-northeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland.[11]
August 18
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST August 17) at 49°48′N27°42′W / 49.8°N 27.7°W / 49.8; -27.7 – Tropical Storm Ernesto degenerates to a remnant low approximately 805 miles (1,296 km) north-northeast of the Azores.[11]
[edit]Gordon shortly before landfall on September 4.
September 1
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 14°18′N26°06′W / 14.3°N 26.1°W / 14.3; -26.1 – Tropical Depression Six intensifies into Tropical Storm Florence roughly 125 miles (201 km) west-southwest of the southernmost Cabo Verde archipelago.[4]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST September 4) at 20°24′N43°24′W / 20.4°N 43.4°W / 20.4; -43.4 – Hurricane Florence intensifies into a Category 2 hurricane approximately 1,190 miles (1,920 km) east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles.[4]
03:15 UTC (10:15 p.m. CDT September 4) at 30°24′N88°30′W / 30.4°N 88.5°W / 30.4; -88.5 – Tropical Storm Gordon attains its peak intensity with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a pressure of 996 mbar (996 hPa; 29.4 inHg), simultaneously making its second and final landfall just west of the Alabama–Mississippi border.[12]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 21°42′N45°12′W / 21.7°N 45.2°W / 21.7; -45.2 – Hurricane Florence rapidly intensifies into a Category 3 hurricane about 1,095 miles (1,762 km) northeast of the Lesser Antilles.[4]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 22°24′N46°12′W / 22.4°N 46.2°W / 22.4; -46.2 – Hurricane Florence rapidly intensifies into a Category 4 hurricane approximately 1,380 miles (2,220 km) east-southeast of Bermuda.[4]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 24°24′N56°06′W / 24.4°N 56.1°W / 24.4; -56.1 – Tropical Storm Florence re-intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane about 755 miles (1,215 km) south-southeast of Bermuda.[4]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST September 9) at 14°30′N41°00′W / 14.5°N 41.0°W / 14.5; -41.0 – Tropical Storm Isaac intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane, attaining its peak intensity with winds of 75 mph (121 km/h) and a pressure of 995 mbar (995 hPa; 29.4 inHg), approximately 1,085 miles (1,746 km) west of Cabo Verde.[14]
Hurricane Florence at peak strength on September 11.
September 11
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST September 10) at 15°18′N32°06′W / 15.3°N 32.1°W / 15.3; -32.1 – Hurricane Helene attains peak winds of 110 mph (180 km/h) roughly 570 miles (920 km) west of Praia, Cabo Verde.[13]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 16°12′N34°00′W / 16.2°N 34.0°W / 16.2; -34.0 – Hurricane Helene attains a minimum pressure of 967 mbar (967 hPa; 28.6 inHg) about 705 miles (1,135 km) west-northwest of Praia, Cabo Verde.[13]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 18°42′N35°48′W / 18.7°N 35.8°W / 18.7; -35.8 – Hurricane Helene weakens to a Category 1 hurricane approximately 855 miles (1,376 km) west-northwest of Praia, Cabo Verde.[13]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. EDT) at 33°06′N75°06′W / 33.1°N 75.1°W / 33.1; -75.1 – Hurricane Florence weakens to a Category 2 hurricane approximately 175 miles (282 km) southeast of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.[4]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST September 13) at 33°06′N44°24′W / 33.1°N 44.4°W / 33.1; -44.4 – Subtropical Storm Joyce transitions into a tropical storm roughly 850 miles (1,370 km) southwest of the Azores.[15]
11:15 UTC (7:15 a.m. EDT) at 34°12′N77°48′W / 34.2°N 77.8°W / 34.2; -77.8 – Hurricane Florence weakens to a Category 1 hurricane while making landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, with winds of 90 mph (140 km/h).[4]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST September 14) – Tropical Storm Joyce attains its peak intensity with winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) and a pressure of 995 mbar (995 hPa; 29.4 inHg) roughly 900 miles (1,400 km) south-southwest of the Azores.[15]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) – Tropical Depression Isaac dissipates approximately 230 miles (370 km) south-southwest of the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico.[14]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST September 18) at 30°24′N27°54′W / 30.4°N 27.9°W / 30.4; -27.9 – Tropical Depression Joyce degenerates to a remnant area of low pressure roughly 475 miles (764 km) south of the Azores.[15]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST) at 13°00′N53°12′W / 13.0°N 53.2°W / 13.0; -53.2 – Tropical Depression Eleven attains a minimum pressure of 1,007 mbar (1,007 hPa; 29.7 inHg) about 420 miles (680 km) east of Barbados.[16]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST September 24) at 32°42′N47°12′W / 32.7°N 47.2°W / 32.7; -47.2 – Subtropical Storm Leslie weakens to a subtropical depression about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southwest of the Azores.[18]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 31°42′N45°12′W / 31.7°N 45.2°W / 31.7; -45.2 – Subtropical Depression Leslie transitions into an extratropical cyclone roughly 940 miles (1,510 km) southwest of the Azores.[18]
Tropical Storm Kirk near peak intensity on September 26.
September 26
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST September 25) at 11°30′N50°18′W / 11.5°N 50.3°W / 11.5; -50.3 – The remnants of Kirk regenerate into a tropical storm approximately 520 miles (840 km) east-southeast of Barbados.[17]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST September 28) – Tropical Storm Kirk degenerates to a tropical wave a few hundred miles south of the United States Virgin Islands.[17]
12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. CDT) at 18°48′N86°24′W / 18.8°N 86.4°W / 18.8; -86.4 – Tropical Depression Fourteen intensifies into Tropical Storm Michael roughly 105 miles (169 km) south-southeast of Cozumel.[5]
October 8
12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. CDT) at 20°54′N85°06′W / 20.9°N 85.1°W / 20.9; -85.1 – Tropical Storm Michael intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane approximately 65 miles (105 km) south of the western tip of Cuba.[5]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 10°24′N29°36′W / 10.4°N 29.6°W / 10.4; -29.6 – Tropical Depression Fifteen intensifies into Tropical Storm Nadine approximately 515 miles (829 km) southwest of Praia, Cabo Verde.[19]
Michael minutes before moving ashore as a Category 5 hurricane on October 10
October 10
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST October 9) at 29°48′N42°42′W / 29.8°N 42.7°W / 29.8; -42.7 – Tropical Storm Leslie re-intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane roughly 1,320 miles (2,120 km) east of Bermuda.[18]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 11°48′N30°54′W / 11.8°N 30.9°W / 11.8; -30.9 – Tropical Storm Nadine attains its peak intensity with winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 995 mbar (995 hPa; 29.4 inHg) approximately 540 miles (870 km) southwest of Praia, Cabo Verde.[19]
17:30 UTC (12:30 p.m. CDT) at 30°00′N85°30′W / 30.0°N 85.5°W / 30.0; -85.5 – Hurricane Michael intensifies into a Category 5 hurricane and simultaneously attains its peak intensity with maximum winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 919 mbar (919 hPa; 27.1 inHg). At this time, the powerful cyclone also makes landfall near Tyndall Air Force BaseinFlorida, becoming the fourth strongest, third deepest, and latest Category 5 hurricane to strike the United States in recorded history.[5]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST October 11) at 30°24′N35°12′W / 30.4°N 35.2°W / 30.4; -35.2 – Hurricane Leslie attains its peak intensity with maximum winds of 90 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 968 mbar (968 hPa; 28.6 inHg) roughly 670 miles (1,080 km) southwest of the Azores.[18]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 25°42′N54°48′W / 25.7°N 54.8°W / 25.7; -54.8 – Tropical Storm Oscar intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane approximately 1,655 miles (2,663 km) southwest of the Azores.[3]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST October 29) at 27°00′N58°30′W / 27.0°N 58.5°W / 27.0; -58.5 – Hurricane Oscar attains its peak intensity with winds of 110 mph (180 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 966 mbar (966 hPa; 28.5 inHg) roughly 520 miles (840 km) southeast of Bermuda.[3]