1988 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 1988, 81 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 38 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 18 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Hurricane Gilbert in the Atlantic, at 185 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 1987–88 season, which IBTrACS files under 1988.
1988 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 81, from 104 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 38.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 18, 3 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 627, 78% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Hurricane Gilbert, Atlantic, 185 mph (160 kt), 888 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: Central Pacific, with 168% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: East Pacific, at 67%.
Each basin in 1988
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 1988 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
1988 season
12 named (average 14.4), 5 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Gilbert, 185 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
1988 season
12 named (average 15.6), 6 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Hector, 145 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
1988 season
2 named (average 1.6), 1 hurricane (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Uleki, 125 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
1988 season
29 named (average 25.5), 13 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Nelson, 160 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
1988 season
6 named (average 6.3), 2 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Cyclone 4B, 125 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
1987–88 season
20 named (average 26.7), 11 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Anne, 160 mph.
Strongest storms of 1988
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert | Atlantic | C5 185 mph | 888 mb | – |
| Nelson | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 915 mb | – |
| Anne | Southern Hemisphere | C5 160 mph | 925 mb | – |
| Gasitao | Southern Hemisphere | C4 150 mph | 927 mb | – |
| Joan | Atlantic | C4 145 mph | 932 mb | – |
Peak winds are 1-minute sustained winds from the NHC and JTWC best tracks, so storms in different basins compare on the same scale.