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Storms named Mitch (retired)

Mitch is a retired Atlantic hurricane name. The World Meteorological Organization took it off the lists after the 1998 storm, so no future Atlantic storm will be called Mitch. Its place on the list now belongs to Martin, on the 2028 list. It is the only storm named Mitch in our archive, which covers every ocean since 1980.

Times used
1
1998
Strongest
1998 · Cat 5
905 mb
Most recent
1998
Atlantic
Retired
After 1998
Slot now: Martin (2028 list)
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1998Tracks: IBTrACS / NHC

Has the name Mitch been retired?

Yes. Mitch is on NHC’s list of retired Atlantic names because of the 1998 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 Mitch be used again?

It won’t be. Retired names are not used again on the Atlantic lists. Its place on the list, the M slot, now belongs to Martin, on the 2028 Atlantic list, which is next used in 2028.

Every storm named Mitch, newest first

Hurricane Mitch (1998)

C5
Dates
October 22, 1998 to November 9, 1998 (19 days)
Peak wind
180 mph / 285 km/h · Category 5
Lowest pressure
905 mb
Ocean
Atlantic
Order in season
13th name of 1998

Mitch formed in the Atlantic in October 1998 and peaked as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 905 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Santa Rosa de Aguán, Honduras and last near Pelican Bay, United States. The system was tracked for 19 days.

Hurricane Mitch (1998): track and history

Where storms named Mitch made landfall

StormLandfall nearDate (UTC)Wind
Mitch 1998Santa Rosa de Aguán, Honduras1998-10-29 12:0080 mph / 130 km/h
Mitch 1998Campeche, Mexico1998-11-04 02:0040 mph / 65 km/h
Mitch 1998Pelican Bay, United States1998-11-05 11:0065 mph / 100 km/h

Why was the storm named Mitch?

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 1998, Mitch was the 13th name used in the Atlantic season.

Questions about the name Mitch

When was the last time a storm was named Mitch?

The most recent was Hurricane Mitch in 1998, in the Atlantic. It formed on October 22, peaked at 180 mph (285 km/h) and lasted 19 days. It made landfall near Santa Rosa de Aguán, Honduras. It was the 13th name used in that Atlantic season. It is the only storm named Mitch in our archive, which covers every ocean since 1980.