Category 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
![]() Hurricane Fabio at peak intensity as a strong category 4 hurricane | |
Formed | July 28, 1988 |
---|---|
Dissipated | August 9, 1988 |
Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 140 mph (220 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 943 mbar (hPa); 27.85 inHg |
Fatalities | 0 |
Damage | Minimal |
Areas affected | Hawaii |
Part of the 1988 Pacific hurricane season |
Hurricane Fabio was a strong category 4 hurricane that formed during the near-normal 1988 Pacific hurricane season. The storm caused only minor effects on land, with some rainfall reported in Hawaii.
Meteorological history
editTropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
A well-organized tropical disturbance with deep convection organized further over the northeastern Pacific Ocean on July 28. [1][2] It developed into a tropical depression later that day, while 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. The position of Fabio's formation was much further south and west than where most tropical cyclones form during the same time period. The depression moved westward while gradually strengthening and it developed into Tropical Storm Fabio on July 29. It intensified further over the next few days and it intensified into a hurricane on July 31.
The system increased its speed as it steadily strengthened further. A trough turned the storm west-northwestward on August 3. Satellite estimates indicated that Fabio reached its maximum intensity later on August 3, with a well-defined eye with very deep convection surrounding it. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft flew into the hurricane at 040000Z and found its center near 17°N, 145°W. [3] Fabio, at this time, was moving steadily toward the Hawaiian Islands and a tropical storm watch was subsequently issued for the Big Island of Hawaii. due to the threatening west-northwest turn towards it. [4] However, the retreat of a trough later turned Fabio back to the west and the CPHC discontinued the tropical storm watch on August 5.[2] Fabio's good upper-level conditions later weakened and began to lose its convection over cooler waters.[1] Fabio quickly weakened and it weakened into a tropical storm again later on August 5, and back to a depression on August 6. The depression turned west-northwestward again on August 8, but Fabio dissipated on August 9. The remnants of Hurricane Fabio were tracked for several more days and could be seen crossing the International Dateline near 22°N at 121800Z. [4]
Preparations and Impact
editA weakened Hurricane Fabio and its category 3-equivelent wind gusts moved closer to the Hawaiian Islands. [5] Fabio's center was 450 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 660 miles east-southeast of Honolulu with a course and speed that would bring the hurricane to just south of Hawaii, the southernmost island in the chain. [6] Hurricane Fabio kicked up some high waves before it was downgraded to tropical storm status as it pushed away from Hawaii. [7] Very heavy rainfall fell across the islands, peaking at 18.75 inches (476 mm) near Pāpa'ikou on the island of Hawaii.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Gerrish, Harold P.; Mayfield, Max (1989). "Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones of 1988" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review. 117 (10): 2266. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1989)117<2266:ENPTCO>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 1520-0493. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
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mismatch (help) - ^ a b BMM (1988). "Tropical Storm Fabio Prelim 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-09-28.
- ^ "Hurricane FABIO tracking". Unisys Weather. 1988.
- ^ a b "Hurricane FABIO 1988 forecasting and tracking". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 04, 2007, at 09:23:31.
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(help) - ^ "News: Hurricane Fabio approaches Hawaii". Los Angeles Times. August 5, 1988.
- ^ "News:Hurricane Fabio coming to Hawaii". Chron. August 1988.
- ^ "NEWS:HURRICANE FABIO WEAKENS AND CAUSES HIGH WAVES". Orlando Sentinel. August 06, 1988.
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(help) - ^ Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (1988). "Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2007-01-29.