2008 Pacific hurricane season facts for kids
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| Season summary map | |
| First storm formed | May 29, 2008 |
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| Last storm dissipated | November 5, 2008 |
| Strongest storm | Norbert – 945 mbar (hPa) (27.92 inHg), 130 mph (215 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| Total depressions | 19 |
| Total storms | 17 |
| Hurricanes | 7 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 2 |
| Total fatalities | 37 direct, 8 indirect |
| Total damage | $152.5 million (2008 USD) |
| Pacific hurricane seasons 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
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The 2008 Pacific hurricane season was a time when tropical storms and hurricanes formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This season officially started on May 15, 2008, and ended on November 30, 2008. During this period, 17 storms were strong enough to be named, and 7 of these grew into hurricanes. This was considered a fairly typical season for the Pacific Ocean.
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Understanding a Hurricane Season
A hurricane season is a specific time of year when tropical cyclones are most likely to form. In the Eastern Pacific Ocean, this period runs from May 15 to November 30. During these months, the ocean waters are warm enough to create the conditions needed for these powerful storms to develop.
How Storms Get Their Names
When a tropical storm forms and its winds reach a certain speed, it gets a name from a special list. This helps people track and talk about each storm. The names are used in alphabetical order each year.
Storms of 2008
Here are the names of the storms that formed during the 2008 Pacific hurricane season:
- Tropical Storm Alma
- Hurricane Boris
- Tropical Storm Cristina
- Tropical Storm Douglas
- Tropical Depression Five-E
- Hurricane Elida
- Hurricane Fausto
- Hurricane Genevieve
- Hurricane Hernan
- Tropical Storm Kika
- Tropical Storm Iselle
- Tropical Storm Julio
- Tropical Storm Karina
- Tropical Storm Lowell
- Hurricane Marie
- Hurricane Norbert
- Tropical Storm Odile
- Tropical Depression Seventeen-E
- Tropical Storm Polo
Hurricane Norbert
Norbert was the strongest storm of the 2008 season. It reached its peak strength with winds of 115 miles per hour (185 km/h). Norbert caused some damage and affected parts of Mexico.
Retired Storm Names
Sometimes, a hurricane name is "retired" if the storm caused a lot of damage or deaths. This is done to prevent people from using the name again, out of respect for those affected. On April 22, 2009, the name Alma was retired because of its impact. A new name, Amanda, will be used instead of Alma in future seasons.
Related Information
See also
In Spanish: Temporada de huracanes del Pacífico de 2008 para niños
