The 1908 Atlantic hurricane season was a documented period of tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic basin. According to the Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT) maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the season comprised the following measured characteristics:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Tropical depressions (identified) | 13 |
| Tropical storms (named) | 12 |
| Hurricanes (≥ Category 1) | 6 |
| Major hurricanes (≥ Category 3) | 3 |
| First system formed | 15 June 1908 |
| Final system dissipated | 21 October 1908 |
| Total fatalities (estimated) | ≈ 150 – 200 |
| Estimated damages (USD, 1908) | ≈ $10 million (adjusted for inflation, modest) |
Seasonal Overview
- Activity level – The 1908 season was moderately active, with a storm count above the long‑term (1851‑2020) average of about 10 named storms.
- Naming – Storms were not assigned official names; they are identified in historical records by their order (e.g., “the first tropical storm of 1908”) or by the locations and dates of impact.
- Detection – Documentation relied on ship reports, land‑based observations, and early telegraph communications; consequently, some weaker systems may have been missed or only partially recorded.
Notable Cyclones
- The June Storm – Formed on 15 June and made landfall near the Florida‑Georgia border as a minimal hurricane, causing limited damage.
- The September Hurricane (Category 3) – Developed on 9 September, reached peak winds of approximately 115 mph (185 km h⁻¹), and impacted the northern Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, where it caused the majority of the season’s fatalities and property loss.
- The October Storm – The final system of the season, forming on 14 October, tracked along the U.S. East Coast as a tropical storm, producing heavy rain and coastal flooding from North Carolina to New England.
Historical Context
- The 1908 season occurred during a period when systematic tropical‑cyclone tracking was still developing. The HURDAT re‑analysis project later refined the historical record, adjusting storm intensities and tracks based on contemporary meteorological logs.
- No storm from the 1908 season was assigned a modern name, as the practice of naming Atlantic tropical cyclones did not begin until the early 1950s.
Sources
- NOAA National Hurricane Center, Atlantic Hurricane Database (HURDAT2) – revised tracks and intensities for the 1908 season.
- Historical weather summaries published in the Monthly Weather Review (1908‑1909).
*All figures reflect the best‑available data from these authoritative sources.
