1988 East Pacific hurricane season
May 15, 1988 – Nov 30, 1988 · Season ended
The 1988 East Pacific hurricane season produced 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes, against a 1991–2020 average of 15.6, 8.4 and 4.4. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 85, 67% of the average.
1988 season at a glance
- Named storms: 12 (1991–2020 average 15.6).
- Hurricanes (64 kt+): 6 (average 8.4).
- Major, 96 kt+: 2 (average 4.4).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 85.0, 67% of the 127 average.
- Named-storm days: 52.0, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Aletta, June 17.
- First hurricane: Carlotta, July 11.
- First major storm: Hector, August 2.
- Last storm to dissipate: Tropical Depression 20E, October 12.
- All systems tracked: 19, including 7 that stayed below tropical-storm strength.
Counts use 1-minute best-track winds: named storms reached 34 kt (39 mph), the next column 64 kt (74 mph) and major storms 96 kt (111 mph).
Every storm of the 1988 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 14E | – | TD | — | — |
| Aletta | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Bud | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| TD 15E | – | TD | — | — |
| Carlotta | – | C1 | 994 mb | — |
| Daniel | – | TS | 994 mb | — |
| Emilia | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Gilma | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| Fabio | – | C4 | 943 mb | — |
| TD 16E | – | TD | — | — |
| Hector | – | C4 | 935 mb | — |
| Iva | – | C2 | 968 mb | — |
| TD 17E | – | TD | — | — |
| John | – | TS | 1004 mb | — |
| TD 18E | – | TD | — | — |
| Kristy | – | C1 | 976 mb | — |
| TD 19E | – | TD | — | — |
| Lane | – | C2 | 970 mb | — |
| TD 20E | – | TD | — | — |
- TD 14E: This system formed in the East Pacific in June 1988 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Aletta: Aletta formed in the East Pacific in June 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Bud: Bud formed in the East Pacific in June 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- TD 15E: This system formed in the East Pacific in July 1988 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Carlotta: Carlotta formed in the East Pacific in July 1988 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Daniel: Daniel formed in the East Pacific in July 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Emilia: Emilia formed in the East Pacific in July 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Gilma: Gilma formed in the East Pacific in July 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Fabio: Fabio formed in the East Pacific in July 1988 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 943 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- TD 16E: This system formed in the East Pacific in July 1988 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.
- Hector: Hector formed in the East Pacific in July 1988 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 935 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Iva: Iva formed in the East Pacific in August 1988 and peaked as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 968 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 17E: This system formed in the East Pacific in August 1988 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- John: John formed in the East Pacific in August 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1004 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- TD 18E: This system formed in the East Pacific in August 1988 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Kristy: Kristy formed in the East Pacific in August 1988 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 19E: This system formed in the East Pacific in September 1988 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Lane: Lane formed in the East Pacific in September 1988 and peaked as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 20E: This system formed in the East Pacific in October 1988 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1988
Hurricane Hector was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 145 mph (230 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 935 mb, on August 3. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
47 East Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 29 matched it. It produced 26% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1988
No storm in the 1988 East Pacific hurricane season made landfall, according to the best track.
How 1988 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 39th of 47 East Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 2 other seasons), 38th for hurricanes (tied with 4 other seasons) and 36th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 25 named storms, in 1992, and the highest ACE is 294, in 2018.
1988 storm names
The 1988 season used 12 names: Aletta, Bud, Carlotta, Daniel, Emilia, Gilma, Fabio, Hector, Iva, John, Kristy, Lane.
7 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
Atlantic and East Pacific lists repeat every six years. See how storms are named.
The WMO later retired the name Iva, so it will not be used again.
1988 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1988?
The 1988 East Pacific hurricane season had 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes, from 19 systems tracked in all. The 1991–2020 average is 15.6 named storms, 8.4 at 64 kt or more and 4.4 major per season. The first to form was Aletta and the last was Lane.
What was the strongest storm of 1988?
Hurricane Hector. It peaked at 145 mph (230 km/h, 125 kt) with a lowest pressure of 935 mb on August 3. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 47 East Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 26% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1988 season end?
The official season ended on November 30, 1988, as it does every year in the Atlantic, eastern Pacific and Central Pacific. The last system, Tropical Depression 20E, dissipated on October 12. Storms that form in December still count toward that year: 1 East Pacific storm since 1980 reached tropical-storm strength in December.