1989 Atlantic hurricane season facts for kids
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| Season summary map | |
| First storm formed | June 24, 1989 |
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| Last storm dissipated | December 4, 1989 |
| Strongest storm | Hugo – 918 mbar (hPa) (27.12 inHg), 160 mph (260 km/h) |
| Total depressions | 15 |
| Total storms | 11 |
| Hurricanes | 7 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 2 |
| Total fatalities | 112 |
| Total damage | $10.739 billion (1989 USD) |
| Atlantic hurricane seasons 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 |
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The 1989 Atlantic hurricane season was a period when tropical storms and hurricanes formed in the Atlantic Ocean. It officially started on June 1, 1989, and ended on November 30, 1989. However, storms can sometimes form outside these dates. For example, Tropical Storm Karen lasted until December 4.
This season had an average number of storms. There were 15 tropical depressions, which are early stages of storms. Out of these, 11 grew into tropical storms, 7 became hurricanes, and 2 became very strong, known as major hurricanes. This season was quite damaging, mainly because of a very powerful storm called Hurricane Hugo.
Contents
Understanding Tropical Storms
Tropical storms and hurricanes are powerful weather systems that form over warm ocean waters. They bring strong winds, heavy rain, and can cause a lot of damage.
- Tropical Depression: This is the first stage. It's an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a clear center. Its winds are less than 39 miles per hour (63 km/h).
- Tropical Storm: If a tropical depression gets stronger, its winds reach between 39 and 73 miles per hour (63–118 km/h). At this point, it gets a name!
- Hurricane: When a tropical storm's winds reach 74 miles per hour (119 km/h) or more, it becomes a hurricane. Hurricanes are ranked by their wind speed on a scale from Category 1 to Category 5. A Category 3 or higher is called a "major hurricane."
Storms of the 1989 Season
Here are the named storms and depressions that formed during the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season:
- Tropical Depression One
- Tropical Storm Allison
- Tropical Storm Barry
- Hurricane Chantal
- Hurricane Dean
- Tropical Depression Six
- Hurricane Erin
- Hurricane Felix
- Tropical Depression Nine
- Hurricane Gabrielle
- Hurricane Hugo
- Tropical Storm Iris
- Tropical Depression Thirteen
- Hurricane Jerry
- Tropical Storm Karen
Names Not Used
Each year, a list of names is prepared for tropical storms. If there are more storms than expected, or if a storm doesn't get strong enough to be named, some names on the list might not be used. Here are the names that were ready but not needed in 1989:
- Luis
- Marilyn
- Noel
- Opal
- Pablo
- Roxanne
- Sebastien
- Tanya
- Van
- Wendy
Retired Storm Names
Sometimes, if a hurricane causes a lot of damage or deaths, its name is "retired." This means the name will never be used again for another hurricane. This is done out of respect for the victims and to avoid confusion.
After the 1989 season, the name Hugo was retired because of the huge impact Hurricane Hugo had. The name "Humberto" was chosen to replace Hugo on the list for the 1995 season.
See also
In Spanish: Temporada de huracanes en el Atlántico de 1989 para niños
