Hurricane Wilma facts for kids
| Category 5 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
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| Formed | October 15, 2005 |
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| Dissipated | October 25, 2005 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 185 mph (295 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 882 mbar (hPa); 26.05 inHg (Record low in Atlantic) |
| Damage | $28.9 billion (2005 USD) |
| Areas affected | Jamaica, Haiti, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize, Yucatán Peninsula, Florida, Bahamas, Canada |
| Part of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Wilma was a very powerful tropical cyclone that hit the Yucatán Peninsula and southern Florida in October 2005. It was the strongest storm ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean based on its very low pressure. Wilma broke many records for how strong it was and how busy the 2005 hurricane season became.
Wilma was only the third Category 5 hurricane to form in October. When it formed, the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season became the busiest hurricane season ever. It had more than 21 storms, beating the record from 1933. Wilma was the 22nd storm, 13th hurricane, 6th major hurricane, and 4th Category 5 hurricane of that record-breaking season.
Contents
How Hurricane Wilma Formed and Moved
The story of Hurricane Wilma, the strongest tropical cyclone in the Western Hemisphere, began in October 2005. A large weather system started to form over the Caribbean Sea. It slowly got more organized southeast of Jamaica. By the end of October 15, this system became strong enough. The National Hurricane Center named it Tropical Depression Twenty-Four.
Wilma Becomes a Storm
The depression slowly moved southwest. Conditions were good for it to get stronger. On October 17, it became Tropical Storm Wilma. At first, it grew slowly because it was very large. But thunderstorms inside it slowly became more organized.
Wilma Gets Super Strong
From October 18 to the next day, Wilma grew incredibly strong over the Caribbean Sea. In just 30 hours, the storm's central air pressure dropped a lot. It went from 982 mbar to a record low of 882 mbar. At the same time, its winds grew to 185 miles per hour (300 km/h).
When Wilma was at its strongest, its eye was very tiny. It was only about 3 miles (5 km) wide. This was the smallest eye ever seen in an Atlantic hurricane. After this tiny eye faded, Wilma weakened to a Category 4 hurricane.
Landfall in Mexico
On October 21, Wilma hit land in Cozumel and the Mexican mainland. Its winds were about 150 miles per hour (240 km/h) at that time. Wilma became weaker as it moved over the Yucatán Peninsula.
Wilma Hits Florida
After crossing Mexico, Wilma reached the southern Gulf of Mexico. It then started to move faster toward the northeast. Even though there were strong winds trying to break it apart, the hurricane got stronger again. It hit Cape Romano, Florida as a major hurricane.
Wilma weakened quickly as it crossed Florida. It then moved into the Atlantic Ocean near Jupiter, Florida. The hurricane got stronger one more time. But then, cold air and strong winds broke apart its inner storm clouds. On October 26, Wilma changed into a different type of storm called an extratropical cyclone. The next day, what was left of Wilma was absorbed by another storm over Atlantic Canada.
Related pages
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Tropical cyclones of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Images for kids
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Wilma's projected path
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Radar image of Hurricane Wilma making landfall in South Florida
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The island of Cozumel is shown through the eye of Hurricane Wilma in this composite image. NOAA.
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The eye of Wilma over Florida, shortly after landfall. Tropical Depression Alpha can be seen to the right.
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Storm surge from Wilma on Key Haven, island suburb of Key West, Florida
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Heavy façade damage to a building in Fort Lauderdale
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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Medical Assistance Team checks a patient outside of the JFK Medical Center (Boynton Beach). The DMAT is set up in the entryway of the hospital to assist in seeing the increase flow of patients due to Hurricane Wilma.
See also
In Spanish: Huracán Wilma para niños
