2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season (Hitman)

The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season was a hyperactive season that broke dozens of records, including the most damage done with, the most disturbances with 84, the most depressions with 45, storms with 43, hurricanes with 36, and major hurricanes with 28. The season saw the most named storms, beating out the 2005 season. In addition, the ACE value was above average. This is likely due to the overall power of most of the storms this year. However, it remained an active and notable season. While a typical hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th, Tropical Storm Alberto formed on January 2nd, the earliest formation known to occur, and also proving tropical cyclone formation is possible at any time of the year. It ended on January 16, 2019, which is not considered a near-average end date. Florida, along with Texas and Louisiana took the brunt of this season, with tropical cyclones making landfall at those locations.

There were several notable storms in 2018. In January, Tropical Storm Alberto formed and caused floods in Hispaniola. In August, Florence caused widespread impact across Cuba and U.S, and Hurricane Tony was the strongest storm of the year, and paralleled the U.S. East Coast before striking the NYC area as a Category 5 hurricane. In October, Hurricane Rafael made landfall in Florida as a Category 4, and Hurricane Sara caused catastrophic across North America, Puerto Rico, and Dominica. In December, Category 5 Hurricane Xi caused devastating flooding across Honduras and Nicaragua.

And in December, especially the end of the month, saw multiple Category 4 and Category 5 hurricanes struck the Caribbean and United States.

Seasonal Forecasts
Ahead of and during the season, several national meteorological services and scientific agencies forecast how many named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale) will form during a season, and/or how many tropical cyclones will affect a particular country. These agencies include the Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) Consortium of the University College London, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),the Olo Storm Meteorological Center (OSMC) and Colorado State University (CSUC). The forecasts include weekly and monthly changes in significant factors that help determine the number of tropical storms, hurricanes,and major hurricanes within a particular year.On average, an Atlantic hurricane season between 1981 and 2010 contained twelve tropical storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes, with an Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index of between 66 and 103 units.

Tropical Storm Alberto
At the end of 2017, there was a 70% chance of a depression to form as a tropical wave pushed off of Western Africa. On January 2, Tropical Storm Alberto formed as Tropical Depression One. In the late-evening hours of the 2nd, the system became a tropical storm. Heading towards the Greater Antilles, a Hurricane Warning was issued for the Caribbean.

With 70 mph (110 km/h) winds, flash flooding along with moderate storm surges occurred on the island of Hispaniola.

As the storm hit the Greater Antilles, the system drastically, sustaining tropical depression status. The system dissipated on the 7th while approaching Honduras.

In all, 17 people were killed, another 1,248 were injured, and $500 million (2018 USD) in damages was done from the earliest known system to form in the Atlantic.

Tropical Storm Barryl
On March 26, the NHC gave a 60% chance for a tropical depression to develop in the basin within a week after a tidal wave formed from isolated storms. In the mid-morning hours of March 31, Tropical Depression Two formed near Panama. Flash flooding along with mudslides caused 4 deaths in Costa Rica and the system strengthened.

Winds peaked near the Greater Antilles at 60 mph (95 km/h). On April 2, the system weakened into a depression and the whole system then dissipated the following day. In all, 4 people died, 188 more were injured, and $43 million (2018 USD) in damages was done.

Hurricane Chris
On May 16, a tropical wave moved off the coast and formed into Tropical Storm Chris. As a Category 1 with wind speeds up to 95 mph, wind shear caused the storm to weaken to tropical storm.

A hurricane warning was issued for Bermuda as the storm re-intensified into a hurricane, being classified as a Category 2. With 105 mph winds, the hurricane transitioned from a Category 2 to a Category 4 in the warm water in Atlantic.

Bermuda was hit head on as the Category 4 gradually weakened when it reached Bermuda  on May 29, and the storm became extratropical of May 31 and dissipated the following day.

As the first major hurricane of the year, Chris was responsible for 23 deaths, over 2,000 deaths, and $3.89 billion (2018 USD) in damages.

Hurricane Debby
Tropical Storm Debby formed on July 14th as remnants from Chris and thunderstorms collided, causing a system to form.

On July 15, Debby became a hurricane, the 2nd of the season. The storm gradually weakened as a eye replacement cycle caused Debby to become a tropical storm. Guadeloupe was hit as Debby then weakened into a depression on July 17.

The system then dissipated on July 18 while causing heavy rain and 1 death in Guadeloupe, and 6 injuries.

An estimated $2 million (2018 USD) in damages was done.

Tropical Storm Ernesto
A high possibility for a tropical depression to form occurred when warm moisture, along with other disturbances, formed Tropical Depression 5.

Tropical Storm Ernesto formed when the system briefly strengthened. The following day, the storm weakened before coming a remnant low.

The system dissipated on July 25 after causing no fatalities or injuries, and minimal damage.

Hurricane Florence
A tidal wave moved off the coast of Africa, quickly forming Tropical Storm Florence. While over warm waters, the system quickly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane, making it the strongest hurricane of the season at the time, the second Category 4 hurricane of the season, and the second major hurricane of the season.

While tracking towards Puerto Rico, an eyewall replacement caused the system to briefly weaken to a Category 3. The system regained it's strength, hitting Puerto Rico as a high-end Category 4.

Catastrophic damage was done to the island, with an estimated $5 billion on the island itself.

As the system was causing destruction in Puerto Rico, it weakened to a low-end Category 2 before striking Cuba as a Category 3 as the system regained strength. Another $2.12 billion was done in damages in Cuba as flash-flooding and high straight-line winds caused destruction.

The system was expected to head out into the Gulf of Mexico and dissipate, however, the storm regained Category 4 strength and hit Florida, causing another $8 billion in damages in the state. On August 28, the system dissipated after killing 167, injuring over 4,300, and causing $15.12 billion (2018 USD) in damages.

Hurricane Gordon
On the 19th, a tropical wave with an 85% chance to form into a depression pushed off of Morocco. On August 21, the system began to strengthen and on the 23rd, achieved tropical storm status.

Minor rapid intensification occurred and Gordon achieved Category 2 strength on August 28. Gordon then weakened into a high-end tropical storm when an eye replacement cycle occurred.

Gordon then re-intensified into a Category 1 before dissipating on August 31, one day before the peak of hurricane season. No damage was done along with no deaths and no injuries.

Hurricane Helene
Remnants from Florence and Gordon, along with a very violent tropical wave formed Helene on August 26. Gaining strength, Helene struck Azores at Category 3 strength.

Flash flooding and high winds caused devastating damage on the island. As the system exited Azores, wind shear caused Helene to weaken to a Category 1 storm before reaching peak intensity 160 miles northeast of Morocco.

An eyewall replacement cycle took place, weakening Helene momentarily to a Category 2 before coming a Category 3 for a final time before hitting Algeria as a Category 2. Algiers suffered heavy rainfall, and in some areas, the rainfall that was accumulated was up to 9.76 inches.

However, the system gradually weakened in Africa after causing heavy rainfall on the continent after killing 16, injuring over 12,000 due to high populations in Africa and $328 million in damages.

Hurricane Isaac
The first Category 5 of the year and first since Maria last year, Isaac formed from a tropical wave that formed near Chad and moved off the coast of Africa on August 1. The system then gained tropical depression status on September 3 before coming Tropical Storm Isaac on September 5.

Intensifying from a tropical storm to a Category 4 in just over 22 hours, Isaac brought heavy flooding near the Caribbean before gaining Category 5 strength on September 9.

Isaac was expected to keep going towards Mexico, however, the system made a sharp right turn an headed towards Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the rest of the Greater Antilles.

Peak winds of 185 mph and a barometric pressure of 889 mbar, Isaac brought heavy flooding and catastrophic to the Greater Antilles, causing an estimated $24 billion in damages beffore making another right turn towards Miami. The U.S. states of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina declared states of emergencies as Isaac was expected to move along the coastline and brought damage to those states.

On the night of September 13, Isaac made a Category 5 landfall with 165 mph winds in the Keys. Flash-flooding occurred in Key West and Miami faced some of the worst damage. Hard Rock Stadium was severely damaged along with flooding, dozens of cranes were toppled over, and flooding up to 34 feet in Miami killed 1,238. Isaac continued up the coast, causing severe damage in Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach at Category 3 strength. Orlando was hit at Category 2 intensity and then Isaac pushed east into the Atlantic.

Isaac than rapidly re-intensified into a Category 5 before hitting Jacksonville, causing more catastrophic damage. As Isaac went inland, he weakened becoming a Category 1 when striking Atlanta, causing flash flooding. Isaac then became extratropical on September 19 when Nashville, along with Memphis suffered flash flooding. Isaac then dissipated on September 21.

In all, Isaac killed 2,356, injured over 29,000, and causing $263 billion (2018 USD) in damages, more than the previous record holders, Harvey and Katrina.

Tropical Depression Ten
Two systems that developed in the open Atlantic had 65% chances to form into Tropical storms Joyce and Kirk. The first system, classified as Tropical Depression Ten, quickly intensified and, within a few days, dissipated out of nowhere.

Depression Ten nearly became Joyce, but dissipated before it was able to achieve the status. No one was killed or injured and no damage was done.

Tropical Depression Eleven
Just like Tropical Depression Ten, Eleven formed in the middle of the Atlantic and had a very good chance of become a tropical storm.

However the following day, Eleven dissipated as high wind shear drastically weakened. Like Ten, Eleven caused no deaths or injuries and no damage.

Hurricane Joyce
On September 8, a tropical wave emerged on radar before strengthening into Tropical Storm Joyce on September 10.

Rapid intensification occurred and Joyce became a Category 3 by September 12. Then the following day, Joyce became a Category 4 with peak winds near 140 mph. The system temporarily weakened when the system had an eyewall replacement cycle before regaining strength when striking Belize, killing 542. An estimated $360 million in damage was done before the system dissipated on September 22.

542 were killed, thousands more were killed, and $360 million in damages was done.

Hurricane Kirk
A tropical wave along with remnants from Joyce and other disturbances formed Tropical Depression Thirteen on September 13. Over the warm water of the Atlantic, Thirteen underwent extreme intensification into a Category 4 hurricane that was named Kirk.

Kirk hit Bermuda as a Category 5 before weakening and moving south towards Florida. Kirk hit Northern Florida as a Category 5 with 160 mph winds before the system weakened into a Category 2. As Kirk was in the Gulf of Mexico, an impact of Louisiana and Texas was the most probable.

Kirk reached a peak strength of 175 mph and a barometric pressure reading of 904 mbar. Kirk then slightly weakened before regaining it's peak strength before making landfall in Texas. Flooding up to 31 inches and high winds caused catastrophic damage. Kirk weakened into a Category 1 when Dallas was struck, causing severe flooding. Kirk then weakened to a subtropical storm and dissipating on October 5.

Due to the heavy rainfall and flooding, 969 people were killed, over 6,700 people were injured, and $84.63 billion (2018 USD) in damages was done.

Hurricane Leslie
A tropical wave with a 45% chance to become a tropical storm moved off the coast of Africa and became quickly Tropical Storm Leslie.

Leslie then strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane on September 16. Expected to become a Category 3, Leslie drastically weakened on the 17th before dissipating on the 18th after leaving no one dead or injured, and no damage.

Hurricane Michael
A tropical disturbance formed from areas of low pressure and high moisture on September 15. On September 17, the disturbance became Tropical Depression Fifteen on September 17.

Then on the 18th, Fifteen became Tropical Storm Michael. The system underwent drastic intensification and became a major hurricane with 125 mph winds.

Cuba was hit hard by Michael, causing $13.2 billion in damages on the island. In the Gulf of Mexico, in a span of 14 hours, Michael went from a Category 1 with 75 mph winds to a Category 4 with 150 mph winds and a barometric pressure drop of 80 mbar.

The U.S. states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma declared states of emergencies on the 20th, followed by Alabama on the 21st. Michael slammed into New Orleans and Corpus Christi at low-end Category 4 strength. Over the next 3 days, devastating flooding in the cities of Mobile, Jackson, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Little Rock, Corpus Christi, Houston, Dallas, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City caused catastrophic damage.

Michael dissipated over Lake Michigan on September 27 after killing 4,871, injuring over 20,000, and causing $207 billion (2018 USD).

Hurricane Nadine
On September 15th, the NHC began to monitor a disturbance in the open Atlantic. On the 18th, the system became Tropical Storm Nadine after minor rapid intensification.

Nadine then underwent a second period of rapid intensification, becoming a major hurricane on September 20.

However, Nadine lost strength and quickly dissipated 2 days. later. The remnants of the system helped Oscar gain Category 5 strength.

In all, no one was killed or injured, and no damage was done.

Hurricane Oscar
On September 17, a tropical wave emerged off the coast of Mali. On September 20, the disturbance strengthened into a depression. Then, on September 24, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Oscar.

While staying at the same strength for 3 days, Oscar rapidly intensified into a Category 4 with 135 mph winds. Oscar struck the Caribbean at Category 4 strength, causing an estimated $60 billion to the islands, and 5,821 were killed, along with over 29,000 injuries. Slowing speeds, Oscar regained strength, striking Cuba at a Category 4 with 150 mph winds and a barometric pressure of 929 mbar.

Slowing speed, Oscar entered the Gulf of Mexico on September 27 with a forward speed of 6 mph. Oscar then re-intensified into a Category 5 with 165 mph wind and a barometric pressure of 923 mbar. The U.S. states of Florida, Alabama, and Georgia declared states of emergencies before Oscar regained strength, packing 180 mph winds and a barometric pressure 919 mbar.

20 miles from the Florida coastline, Oscar gained a little strength, still packing the same wind speeds, but had a barometric pressure of 916 mbar. Hitting Panama City, Atlanta, Greensville, and Charlotte, high winds, heavy rainfall, and large storm surges. Heading out into the Atlantic, Oscar, a tropical storm, regained hurricane status before slamming into Richmond as a Category 2 before moving inland and dissipating over Lake Ontario. 1,234 were killed in the U.S. and over 50,000 were injured.

In all, 7,055 were killed, over 79,000 more were injured, and $157 billion (2018 USD) in damages was done.

Hurricane Patty
The NHC began to monitor a disturbance on September 25 as the disturbance moved off of Africa. On September 28, the disturbance intensified into Tropical Storm Patty.

On October 1, Patty underwent rapid intensification, becoming a Category 3 major hurricane. Impacting Trinidad and Tobago, winds up to 110 mph and surges up to 9 ft caused 27 deaths.

Patty gradually weakened before regaining strength on October 5. Patty then encountered heavy wind shear, causing the system to lose it's structure and becoming a depression on October 7 and dissipating the following day.

In all, Patty killed 27, injured 125, and caused $293 million in damages.

Hurricane Quinn
A tropical wave that formed from isolated thunderstorms over Africa created Tropical Storm Quinn quickly on September 30.

On October 2, Quinn started to shift to the north. By October 9, Quinn became a Category 4 with 130 mph winds. On the 14th, Quinn restrengthened, harboring wind speeds of 145 mph winds and a barometric pressure of 944 mbar.

While pushing to the south, Quinn started to shift to the west towards the Carolinas.

The states of Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida declared states of emergencies by the 19th. Quinn made landfall on the 20th just south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on the 21st with 145 mph winds and a barometric pressure reading of 941 mbar. Rainfall up to 45 inches were recorded in a few places.

Charleston faced devastating flooding and 36 people died in the vicinity of the city. Charleston Airport and the North Charleston Coliseum faced severe damage and flooding. Economic losses totaled $37 billion in the city. Greensboro faced severe flooding, and 2 people died from an EF2 tornado near the city.

Quinn dissipated over Georgia on October 25 after killing 38, injuring over 600, and causing $46 billion in damages.

Hurricane Rafael
The NHC started to monitor a disturbance near the Gulf of Mexico that quickly became Tropical Storm Rafael on October 3.

Undergoing a period of rapid intensification, Rafael became a Category 4 with 150 mph winds when the system slammed into Haiti, causing 6,789 deaths and $75 billion in damages on the island.

Briefly weakening, Rafael emerged into the Gulf, regaining a little strength, slamming into Naples, Florida as a high-end Category 4 with wind speeds at 155 mph and a barometric pressure reading of 925 mbar.

Strong straight-line winds, heavy rainfall, and huge storm surges caused another $45 billion in damages in South Florida before hitting Bermuda as a low-end Category 4 with 130 mph winds and a barometric pressure reading of 937 mbar. More flooding caused another $5.3 billion in damages was done in damages.

In all, 6,903 deaths occurred, another estimated 24,300 injuries occurred, and $125.3 billion (2018 USD) in damages.

Hurricane Sara
A tropical disturbance formed in the open Atlantic from remnants of other storms formed on October 2. Two days later, the disturbance became Tropical Storm Sara.

Between the 5th and 8th, Sara underwent rapid intensification, becoming a Category 4 on a final approach to Dominica. Slowing up, Sara became a Category 5 with 160 mph as the system was gaining strength. Sara slammed into Puerto Rico and Dominica with 170 mph winds. On the islands, $90 billion in damages was done and 2,875 were killed.

Sara made a sharp right turn before heading north before turning west towards Florida. Sara gained strength, reaching a once peak intensity of 175 mph and a barometric pressure of 908 mbar.

Impacting Florida, Sara weakened to a Category 2 before re-intensifying into a Category 5 with wind speeds up to 180 mph and a new barometric pressure of 904 mbar. Before a third impact on the U.S., the pressure dropped 2 mbar, reaching 902 mbar. All gulf coast states declared states of emergencies, and the Florida Panhandle was hit at peak strength, causing devastating flash-flooding. Another $26 billion was done in Florida and Georgia before Sara weakened into a tropical depression, still causing heavy rainfall, and another $17 billion in damages was done, along with 17 deaths.

In all, 2,892 deaths occurred, over 15,000 injuries was done, and $133 billion (2018 USD) in damages was done.

Hurricane Tony
On October 7, the NHC began to monitor a tropical wave that moved off off of Senegal, and the next day, the system became Tropical Storm Tony.

On October 11, rapid intensification occurred, and Tony became a Category 4 when the system hit Northern South America. The Greater Antilles, along with the Caribbean, were hit head on, causing catastrophic damage. 6,347 were killed and $85 billion in damages. Tony slowed down before a final approach to Cuba.

Cuba was hit as Tony was a Category 5 with wind speeds of 175 mph and a barometric pressure of 905 mbar. Starting to head north, Tony began to towards the northeast. Texas was hit as a Catgeory 5 with 190 mph winds and a new barometric pressure of 892 mbar.

Catastrophic damage was done in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas and $92 billion in damages was done in those states, along with 988 deaths. Tony then turned towards the Gulf of Mexico once again and the system regained Category 5 strength. Crossing South Florida as a Category 5 with 200 mph winds and a new barometric pressure of 877 mbar. Bermuda was then hit as Tony slightly weakened. 180 mph winds were recorded with pressure recorded at 899 mbar.

Paralleling the East Coast of the U.S., a brief landfall of the Carolinas caused heavy rainfall, and an estimated $7 billion in those 2 states. Tony then rapidly re-intensified, reaching peak strength of 225 mph and a barometric pressure of 846 mbar.

States of emergencies were declared from Virginia to Massachusetts. Hitting the East Coast head on, catastrophic damage was done on the East Coast as heavily populated cities such as Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, Hartford, and Boston each got at least 25 inches of rain with wind speeds up to 200 mph. On the East Coast, an estimated $188 billion in damages was done, along with 1,244 deaths. Making a 180 degree turn, Tony re-intensified with 215 mph winds speeds and a barometric pressure of 851 mbar when the system slammed into Virginia on November 10.

Barely weakening, Tony slammed into Ohio and actually re-intensified over Lake Ontario. Slamming into Canada, Tony brought strong straight-line winds, heavy rains and huge storm surges. After causing $22 billion after making another landfall on the U.S. East Coast, Tony caused another $64 billion in damages and killing 3,759 after another landfall.

Tony then pushed out over the Atlantic and fully dissipated on November 19. In all, Tony caused 12,338 deaths, over 100,000 injuries, and a record $458 billion (2018 USD) in damages, making it the costliest natural disaster in world history.

Tropical Storm Ulysses
On September 28, a tropical disturbance quickly became Tropical Storm Ulysses near Belize. With 55 mph winds, Ulysses hit Cuba, causing moderate rainfall, killing 3 in the process. As a subtropical storm, Ulysses regained tropical storm status before slamming Florida as a tropical storm with 65 mph winds.

An estimated $50 million in damages was done in the state before Ulysses became a depression and becoming a remnant low by October 7.

On October 8, Ulysses completely dissipated after killing 3, injuring 36, and causing $75 million in damages.

Hurricane Valerie
A disturbance popped up on radar and quickly intensified into Hurricane Valerie.

With 85 mph winds, Valerie slammed into Mexico, causing devastation around Cancun, causing $400 million in damages.

On October 14, Valerie dissipated before re-organizing in the Pacific as Tropical Storm Zeke.

In all, Valerie caused 45 injuries and $400 million in damages.

Hurricane William
On October 21, a disturbance intensified into Tropical Depression Twenty-Five near Cape Verde. Then on the 23rd, Twenty-Five intensified into Tropical Storm William at 4:00 AM UTC.

William then underwent a rapid period of intensification, becoming a Category 3 major hurricane with 115 mph winds.

The countries of Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda were hit at Category 3 strength on the 27th, causing $9.6 billion in damages and killing 54.

On November 1, William weakened into a remnant low and some remnants of the storm would shift out into the Atlantic and help form Hurricane Xenia.

William completely dissipated on November 4th after killing 54 and causing $9.6 billion in damage.

Hurricane Xenia
On November 12, a disturbance became Tropical Depression Twenty-Six near Cuba. In under 24 hours, the most rapid intensification and pressure drop ever occurred.

From a disturbance with 25 mph winds, the system became a Category 5 Hurricane Xenia with 185 mph winds, a record increase of 160 mph. The pressure drop of 273 mbar from 1158 mbar to 885 mbar is also a new record.

The U.S. state of Florida declared a state of emergency, and by November 18, Xenia was 20 miles off the coast of Florida before an eyewall replacement cycle took place, causing the system to weaken to 160 mph winds before impacting Florida just north of Naples. Hertz Arena was severely damaged and flooded. In South Florida alone, $145 billion in damages and 82 deaths.

Exiting the U.S., Xenia further weakened into a Category 4 before striking Bermuda with 130 mph winds. Xenia made a hard left turn and moved up the U.S. coast, striking Virginia with 175 mph winds. Another $60 billion in damages was done in the state, along with 60 deaths, before an impact of Pennsylvania at a low-end Category 3 strength occurred.

The Pennsylvania capital city of Harrisburg, along with Erie and Pittsburgh suffered severe flooding, causing another $165 billion in damages and 42 deaths.

Xenia finally dissipated over Indiana after killing 184 and causing a secondly-record of $370 billion in damages made Xenia the second costliest Atlantic hurricane on record, along with the second costliest in world history.

Hurricane Yvette
A disturbance formed from 5 isolated thunderstorms became Tropical Depression Twenty-Seven near Portugal on November 13.

Then on November 14, the system became Tropical Storm Yvette before becoming a Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph winds.

Within 100 miles from Portugal, Yvette became a Category 3 major hurricane before a landfall as a Category 2 in Portugal.

$100 million was done in damages on the island and no one was killed before Yvette dissipated over Europe on November 17.

Hurricane Zachary
On November 16, Tropical Depression Twenty-Eight formed from a disturbance that formed from a tropical wave from Africa.

On November 19, the depression became Tropical Storm Zachary. Zachary quickly became a Category 3 with 120 mph winds by November 22. On the 23rd, Zachary became a Category 4 with 140 mph winds.

By November 29, Zachary became a Category 5 with 185 mph winds with a barometric pressure reading of 879 mbar, only behind Tony as the the most intense hurricane on record.

On December 4, Zachary made landfall on Puerto Rico with 180 wind speeds and a barometric pressure reading of 892 mbar. Causing 5,496 deaths and $92 billion in damages on the island Zachary circled around Bermuda before slamming into the Florida-Georgia border as a Category 5 with 190 mph wind speeds with a barometric pressure reading of 867 mbar.

Causing $57 billion in damages to both states, Zachary moved inland, striking Kentucky and Tennessee at Category 4 strength, causing another $125 billion in damages with heavy rainfall and strong winds.

As a Category 1, Zachary caused severe flooding in Chicago, killing 267 and another $40 billion in damages. Zachary dissipated in Montana on December 10 after killing 5,663 and $318 billion in damages.

Hurricane Alpha
On December 2, a tropical wave emerged off of Morocco, and achieved disturbance status.

By the 5th, the disturbance became Tropical Depression Twenty-Nine, and then became Tropical Storm Alpha the following day. Undergoing rapid intensification, Alpha became a Category 3 with 125 mph winds.

Impacting Suriname, heavy flash-flooding killed 65 and caused $5 billion in damages. Gaining strength, Alpha became a high-end Category 4 when Cuba was hit.

$40 billion in damages was done in damages on Cuba before Alpha emerged in the Gulf at Category 1 strength. Alpha then re-intensified into a Category 4 with 155 mph winds before slamming into Mississippi, causing catastrophic damage, killing 17 and causing another $69 billion in damages.

Alpha dissipated over Oklahoma on Christmas eve after killing 82 and causing $114 billion (2018 USD) in damages.

Storm names
The following list of names was used for named storms that formed in the North Atlantic in 2018. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2024 season. This was the same list used in the 2012 season. The name Sara was first used this year (in place of Sandy). After the predetermined list of names for the 2018 season was exhausted, additional storms were named using letters from the Greek Alphabet. The 2018 season is one of only two seasons to exhaust its name list, with the other being the 2005 season.Season effects

Season Effects
This is a table of all of the storms that have formed during the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their names, duration, peak strength, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 2018 USD.