 Paloma approaching Cuba shortly before peak intensity on November 8 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | November 5, 2008 |
| Remnant low | November 10, 2008 |
| Dissipated | November 14, 2008 |
| Category 4 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 145 mph (230 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 944 mbar (hPa); 27.88 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 total |
| Damage | $455 million (2008 USD) |
| Areas affected | Central America, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Bahamas, Florida |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Paloma was a strong late-season Atlantic hurricane that set several records for its intensity and formation. It was the sixteenth tropical storm, eighth hurricane and fifth major hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Paloma was, at the time, the third most powerful November hurricane on record (but has since dropped to fifth) in the Atlantic Basin, behind only the 1932 Cuba hurricane, 2020's hurricanes Iota and Eta, and a tie of 1999's Hurricane Lenny, and 2001's Hurricane Michelle. Paloma also marked the first time that at least one major hurricane formed in every month of the hurricane season from July to November, with only June not having a major hurricane in the season.
Paloma developed out of a strong tropical disturbance off the eastern coast of Nicaragua and northern coast of Honduras on November 5. The disturbance had slowly developed into a tropical depression while hugging the coastline. The depression strengthened into a tropical storm early on November 6, then a hurricane later that day. The next day, Paloma intensified into a Category 2 hurricane, then soon afterward into a Category 3 major hurricane. Early on November 8, Paloma continued to intensify and reached Category 4 intensity, and then weakened rapidly into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall in Santa Cruz del Sur, Cuba. Paloma weakened into a tropical storm on November 9 while moving over Cuba, where it stalled. It dissipated later that evening. Hurricane Paloma caused heavy damage in both the Cayman Islands and Cuba. Overall, the total damage from Paloma stands at $454.5 million, with one fatality.