Wednesday, December 3, 2008

2008 Season Summary

This season there were seventeen depressions, 16 of which became named storms, from which 8 became hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes. Nearly a thousand deaths and $44 billion worth of damage resulted from the above average season. In total, 1 storm formed in May, 3 in July, 4 in August, 4 in September, 3 storms and 1 depression in October, and 1 storm in November.

Hurricane Bertha was the longest lived pre-August storm ever recorded.
2008 was the third costliest (wealth adjusted for 2008) year on record and the fourth busiest (most storms) on record.
Also, 2008 is the only season in which a major hurricane formed in every month from July-November.
Haiti was hit with four consecutive storms (Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike)
Tropical Storm Marco was the smallest tropical cyclone in the entire world with a tropical storm force wind span of only 10 miles.

Overall, the 2008 season was very notable and more active seasons will be ahead.