:Tropical Depression One (1988)

{{storm path|01L 1988 track.png}}

By late on May 29, scattered showers and thunderstorms existed over the northwestern Caribbean Sea.{{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=TWDAT&e=198805292358|title=Tropical Weather Discussion|date=1988-05-29|author=Torres|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2024-08-01}} A weak surface low-pressure area formed on the following day, with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noting some very deep and concentrated convection.{{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=TWDAT&e=198805301801|title=Tropical Weather Discussion|date=1988-05-30|author=Kenneth Haydu|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2024-08-01}} Around 18:00 UTC on May 30, Tropical Depression One developed in the western Caribbean Sea,{{cite web|author=David M. Roth|year=2011|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/ebtrk_nhc_final.txt|title=Extended Best Track Database for CLIQR program|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|access-date=2011-02-20}} a day before the start of the Atlantic hurricane season.{{cite news|author=Staff Writer|date=1988-06-01|newspaper=The Deseret News|title=Storm signals the arrival of hurricane season|access-date=2011-03-10|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6T5TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VIQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6999,19361&dq=hurricane&hl=en}} The depression moved northeastward along the axis of a northeast-southwest oriented trough,{{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=TCDAT1&e=198806012129|title=Tropical Depression Discussion Tropical Depression One|author=B. Max Mayfield|date=1988-06-01|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2024-08-02}} passing just northwest of Isla de la Juventud before striking the Cuban mainland south of Havana. As it crossed the country, its strongest rainfall was east of the center, and the depression failed to intensify beyond winds of 30 mph (45 km/h).

Although the NHC never anticipated that the depression would intensify, due to unfavorable wind shear,{{cite news|author=Staff Writer|date=1988-06-01|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Boca Raton News|title=Tropical depression born on schedule|access-date=2011-03-10|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5x1UAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MI0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6664,12725&dq=tropical+cuba&hl=en}} they stated early on June 2 that "it is not unreasonable to expect some strengthening" because the cyclone was crossing the Gulf Stream, which had sea surface temperatures of at least {{convert|27|C|F|order=flip}}.{{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=TCDAT1&e=198806020328|author=Harold P. Gerrish|title=Tropical Depression Discussion Tropical Depression One|date=1988-06-02|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2024-08-02}} After a hurricane hunters flight could not detect a circulation,

{{cite news|title=Forecasters Watching Depression|author=Staff Writer|newspaper=Domestic News|agency=Associated Press|date=1988-06-01}} the depression degenerated into an open trough east of Florida on June 2.{{cite web|author=David M. Roth|date=2008-08-04|title=Tropical Depression #1 - May 30-June 2, 1988|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|access-date=2011-03-10|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain//td1of1988.html}} The final discussion by the NHC noted the presence of several weak eddies, but that none were close enough to the remaining deep convection to justify the system continuing to be classified as a tropical cyclone.{{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=TCDAT1&e=198806021528|title=Tropical Depression Discussion Tropical Depression One|author=B. Max Mayfield|date=1988-06-02|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2024-08-02}}

File:Tropical Depression One 1988 rainfall.gif]]

While crossing Cuba, the depression dropped heavy rainfall, affecting the provinces of Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, and Ciego de Ávila. The precipitation peaked at {{convert|40.35|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Cienfuegos Province, of which {{convert|34.13|in|mm|abbr=on}} fell in one day. At the time, it was the second highest rainfall total in the country, only behind Hurricane Flora in 1963, although Hurricane Dennis in 2005 later surpassed the depression.{{cite web|author=Instituto Nacional de Recursos Hidráulicos |year=2003 |title=Lluvias intensas observadas y grandes inundaciones reportadas |language=Spanish |access-date=2007-02-10 |url=http://www.hidro.cu/hidrologia1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312215337/http://www.hidro.cu/hidrologia1.htm |archive-date=2007-03-12 }} Rainfall reached 22.76 in (578 mm) in Cienfuegos and 21.90 in (556 mm) in Sancti Spíritus.{{cite web|author=United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA)|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=1988-06-10|title=Cuba - Heavy Rains Jun 1988 UNDRO Information Report No. 1|access-date=2011-03-10|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-64CARH?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=ACOS-635NTG}}

The heavy rainfall caused flooding in Camagüey that damaged about 5,700 houses and destroyed 200.{{cite news|title=Cuba -- Flood|publisher=The Russian Information Agency|date=1988-06-08}} The flooding also damaged 15 schools and hospitals, as well as several crop buildings. The floods left widespread areas without electricity or communications. Six bridges were destroyed in central and western Cuba, which, in addition to damaged roads and rail lines, severely disrupted the country's transportation infrastructure. A total of 131 roads were unpassable due to the flooding, and 55 rail lines were damaged. The flood waters prompted officials to evacuate 65,000 residents in low-lying areas, including using helicopters and amphibious vehicles.{{cite news|author=Staff Writer|date=1988-06-03|title=Depression downgraded|access-date=2011-03-10|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=joQ0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=nMgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3527,336217&dq=tropical+cuba&hl=en|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Times Daily}} A tornado was reported in the city of Camagüey, destroying five Soviet planes and several buildings.{{cite news|title=Storm Kills 14, Six Missing in Cuba|newspaper=International News|author=Staff Writer|agency=Associated Press|date=1988-06-02|access-date=2007-03-03|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cElOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KBQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2928,1017398&dq=tropical+cuba&hl=en}} By the day after the depression dissipated, the Cuban government reported nine deaths, although the death toll was later finalized at 37. The depression also killed thousands of livestock. Following the severe flooding, the Red Cross sent aid to the victims of Tropical Depression One in Cuba. The Red Cross had sent medical units, tents, blankets, and other necessary item to the victims by plane.{{cite news|title=Relief Aid to Cuba|publisher=The Russian Information Agency|date=1988-06-08}} Overall about 90,000 people were affected.

With most of the rainfall occurring east of the center, the depression did not produce significant precipitation in Florida. Precipitation of around 1 in (25 mm) spread across the Miami area, peaking at {{convert|3.18|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Pompano Beach.

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Category:1988 Atlantic hurricane season

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