| 1978 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|---|---|
 Season summary map | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | January 18, 1978 |
| Last system dissipated | November 1, 1978 |
| Strongest storm | |
| By maximum sustained winds | Ella |
| • Maximum winds | 140 mph (220 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 956 mbar (hPa; 28.23 inHg) |
| By central pressure | Greta |
| • Maximum winds | 130 mph (215 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 947 mbar (hPa; 27.97 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 24 |
| Total storms | 12 |
| Hurricanes | 5 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 2 |
| Total fatalities | 41 total |
| Total damage | $135 million (1978 USD) |
| Related articles | |
The 1978 Atlantic hurricane season was a slightly above average hurricane season in terms of number of named storms. Eleven tropical cyclones were named in all, and five of these became hurricanes; two of the five became a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale).[1] This was also the last Atlantic hurricane season to use an all-female naming list.[2] The season officially began on June 1, 1978, and ended on November 30, 1978. These dates, adopted by convention, denote the period in each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the Atlantic basin.[3] However, the formation of subtropical or tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year, as shown by the formation of an unnamed subtropical storm on January 18.
Three storms made landfall along the coast of the western Gulf of Mexico during the season. At the end of July and into early August, short-lived Tropical Storm Amelia and its remnants caused extensive flooding in Texas after dropping as much as 48 in (1,200 mm) of rain. There were 33 deaths and US$110 million (equivalent to $403.41 million in 2023) in damage. Also in August, Tropical Storm Bess made landfall in Veracruz, and later, Tropical Storm Debra did so in Louisiana. Neither caused significant damage, though Debra or its remnants spawned multiple tornadoes that killed two people. Hurricanes Ella and Greta each reached Category 4 strength. Though remaining out at sea, Ella did lash the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada with gusty winds and rip currents in early September. Greta brought strong winds, high tides, and flooding to Central America, particularly Belize and Honduras, resulting in about $25 million in damage and at least five fatalities. The storm crossed intact into the eastern Pacific Ocean and was renamed Olivia. Overall, the storms of this season collectively caused $191 million in damage and 42 fatalities.
- ^ Miles B. Lawrence (April 1979). Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1978 (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center; National Weather Service; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 23, 2008. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
- ^ "Hurricane Bob?". Wilmington Morning Star. May 13, 1978. Retrieved July 20, 2023 – via Google News.
- ^ "Hurricanes Frequently Asked Questions". Miami, Florida: Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. June 1, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.