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Storms named Gilbert (retired)

Gilbert is a retired Atlantic hurricane name. The World Meteorological Organization took it off the lists after the 1988 storm, so no future Atlantic storm will be called Gilbert. Its place on the list now belongs to Gordon, on the 2030 list. It is the only storm named Gilbert in our archive, which covers every ocean since 1980.

Times used
1
1988
Strongest
1988 · Cat 5
888 mb
Most recent
1988
Atlantic
Retired
After 1988
Slot now: Gordon (2030 list)
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1988Tracks: IBTrACS / NHC

Has the name Gilbert been retired?

Yes. Gilbert is on NHC’s list of retired Atlantic names because of the 1988 storm. It is one of 100 names retired there since 1954 (Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names).

A name is retired when a storm was so deadly or costly that using the name again would be insensitive; the World Meteorological Organization then picks a new name with the same first letter at its annual meeting.

When will Gilbert be used again?

It won’t be. Retired names are not used again on the Atlantic lists. Its place on the list, the G slot, now belongs to Gordon, on the 2030 Atlantic list, which is next used in 2030.

Every storm named Gilbert, newest first

Hurricane Gilbert (1988)

C5
Dates
September 8, 1988 to September 20, 1988 (11 days)
Peak wind
185 mph / 295 km/h · Category 5
Lowest pressure
888 mb
Ocean
Atlantic
Order in season
7th name of 1988

Gilbert formed in the Atlantic in September 1988 and peaked as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 888 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Kingston, Jamaica and last near Abasolo, Mexico. The system was tracked for 11 days.

Hurricane Gilbert (1988): track and history

Where storms named Gilbert made landfall

StormLandfall nearDate (UTC)Wind
Gilbert 1988Kingston, Jamaica1988-09-12 17:00130 mph / 215 km/h
Gilbert 1988Playa del Carmen, Mexico1988-09-14 15:00160 mph / 260 km/h
Gilbert 1988Abasolo, Mexico1988-09-16 22:00125 mph / 205 km/h

Why was the storm named Gilbert?

Names go in alphabetical order, one per storm, as each storm reaches tropical-storm strength (39 mph, 34 knots), so a storm’s place in its season decides its name.

In 1988, Gilbert was the 7th name used in the Atlantic season.

Questions about the name Gilbert

When was the last time a storm was named Gilbert?

The most recent was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, in the Atlantic. It formed on September 8, peaked at 185 mph (295 km/h) and lasted 11 days. It made landfall near Kingston, Jamaica. It was the 7th name used in that Atlantic season. It is the only storm named Gilbert in our archive, which covers every ocean since 1980.