Weather of 2008

{{Weather by decade/2000–2009}}

The year began with La Nina conditions that developed the previous year. The La Nina peaked in February, and after that, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) near the equators began to warm up.{{Cite web |title=Annual 2008 El Niño/Southern Oscillation {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/enso/200813 |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}} As a consequence, by June, NOAA assessed that the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) had transitioned to its normal phase.{{Cite web |title=June 2008 El Niño/Southern Oscillation {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/enso/200806 |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}} This neutral phase remained through the remainder of the year, with below-average SSTs. Despite being the coldest year since 2000, the year was still one of the top 10 warmest years on record.{{Cite web |date=2009-01-21 |title=2008 Global Temperature |url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/36699/2008-global-temperature |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=earthobservatory.nasa.gov |language=en}}

In early January 2008, a blizzard impacted parts of Iran, killing 21 people.[http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/01/07/iran.snow.ap/index.html Iranian snow storm 'kills 21'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213102156/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/01/07/iran.snow.ap/index.html|date=February 13, 2008}}, Associated Press via CNN, January 7, 2008. At around the same time, the Pacific Northwest was hit by a storm system, causing at least 12 deaths.{{cite news |date=January 6, 2008 |title=Storms kill three in western US |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7173995.stm |access-date=May 5, 2010 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite web |title=Man killed, seven injured on icy mountain highway |url=http://www.katu.com/news/13486032.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108043259/http://www.katu.com/news/13486032.html |archive-date=January 8, 2008}}{{Cite web |title=Homes remain flooded after levee break - CNN.com |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/01/06/california.storm.ap/index.html}}[http://news.aol.com/story/_a/winter-storm-pummels-western-states/20080104115509990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001 Residents of Flooded Nevada Town Return] In mid-January, the third-deadliest blizzard in history{{Cite web |date=2017-04-25 |title=The Ten Deadliest Blizzards In History |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-ten-deadliest-blizzards-in-history.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=WorldAtlas |language=en-US}} struck Afghanistan, killing at least 926 people.{{Cite news |last=Press |first=The Associated |date=2008-02-16 |title=Afghanistan: Bitter Winter Claims More Than 900 Lives |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/16/world/asia/16briefs-cold.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} At around the same time, a cold blast struck China, causing heavy snow and ice until early February, accompanied with cold weather. Direct economic losses were estimated at over $22 billion{{Usdcy|22000000000|2008}},{{Cite journal |last1=Zhou |first1=Benzhi |last2=Gu |first2=Lianhong |last3=Ding |first3=Yihui |last4=Shao |first4=Lan |last5=Wu |first5=Zhongmin |last6=Yang |first6=Xiaosheng |last7=Li |first7=Changzhu |last8=Li |first8=Zhengcai |last9=Wang |first9=Xiaoming |last10=Cao |first10=Yonghui |last11=Zeng |first11=Bingshan |last12=Yu |first12=Mukui |last13=Wang |first13=Mingyu |last14=Wang |first14=Shengkun |last15=Sun |first15=Honggang |date=2011-01-01 |title=The Great 2008 Chinese Ice Storm: Its Socioeconomic–Ecological Impact and Sustainability Lessons Learned |url=https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/92/1/2010bams2857_1.xml?tab_body=pdf |journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society |language=EN |volume=92 |issue=1 |pages=47–60 |doi=10.1175/2010BAMS2857.1 |issn=0003-0007|doi-access=free |bibcode=2011BAMS...92...47Z }} and at least 129 people were killed.{{Cite web |title=民政部称雨雪冻灾已致129人死亡4人失踪_新闻中心_新浪网 |url=https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2008-02-23/110515001984.shtml |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=news.sina.com.cn}}File:Chinasnowstorm2008 bijie.jpg after the 2008 Chinese winter storms.|left|alt=In a forest, tree branches can be seen covered with a layer of ice after the 2008 Chinese winter storms. Workers can be seen walking up a trail. ]]In early February, a snowstorm impacted the Central Plains and the Great Lakes, causing at least 4 deaths.{{Cite news |date=February 7, 2008 |title=Chicago Recovering From Latest Bout Of Snow |url=http://www.nbc5.com/news/15245014/detail.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412102113/http://www.nbc5.com/news/15245014/detail.html |archive-date=April 12, 2008 |access-date=April 26, 2008 |publisher=NBC5.com |agency=Associated Press/WMAQ-TV (Chicago)}}{{Cite news |author=Associated Press/NBC Detroit |date=February 7, 2008 |title=Metro Detroit Digs Out, Cleans Up |url=http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/15242918/detail.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413111158/http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/15242918/detail.html |archive-date=April 13, 2008 |access-date=April 26, 2008 |publisher=ClickonDetroit.com |df=mdy-all}}{{Cite news |date=February 6, 2008 |title=Fatal Interstate Crash |url=http://www.nbc15.com/news/headlines/15359811.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213102359/http://www.nbc15.com/news/headlines/15359811.html |archive-date=2009-02-13 |access-date=April 26, 2008 |publisher=NBC 15 WMTV (Madison, Wisconsin) |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite news |author=Hughes, Graham |date=February 7, 2008 |title=Very slippery |url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/features/storm/story.html?id=01c4b52b-761b-4ef3-add8-3410b8ec4828&k=30067 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411122912/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/features/storm/story.html?id=01c4b52b-761b-4ef3-add8-3410b8ec4828&k=30067 |archive-date=April 11, 2008 |access-date=April 26, 2008 |work=The Ottawa Citizen}} Later in the month, a system moved through the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, killing at least 6 people.[http://wcbstv.com/topstories/nyc.winter.weather.2.660147.html Snow Causes Massive Delays At All Local Airports], WCBS, February 22, 2008[http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/02/22/winter.weather.ap/index.html Snowstorm wreaks havoc on Northeast] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605181003/http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/02/22/winter.weather.ap/index.html|date=June 5, 2008}}, CNN, February 22, 2008

In March, the North American blizzard of 2008 moved through parts of the United States and Canada, killing 17 people{{Cite web |date=2023-03-07 |title=The North American blizzard of 2008 versus Ottawa |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/north-american-blizzard-2008-versus-094646707.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-CA}} and causing nearly $800 million of damage.{{cite web |year=2008 |title=NCDC Event Report Archive |url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503053157/http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwEvent~Storms |archive-date=May 3, 2008 |access-date=April 7, 2009 |publisher=National Climatic Data Center |df=mdy-all}}

On May 26 and 27,{{Cite web |last= |date=2008-06-05 |title=Message of condolence to snowstorm-hit Mongolia |url=https://en.baochinhphu.vn/message-of-condolence-to-snowstorm-hit-mongolia-1113773.htm |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=en.baochinhphu.vn |language=}} Mongolia was hit with a heavy snowstorm causing at least 52 fatalities. Hundreds of thousands of heads of livestock were killed or went missing.{{Cite web |date=2008-06-02 |title=Death toll reaches 52 in heavy snowstorm in Mongolia - Mongolia {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mongolia/death-toll-reaches-52-heavy-snowstorm-mongolia |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}

In late October, a blizzard in Tibet dumped nearly 25 inches of snow. Six people were reported dead.{{Cite web |date=2008-10-30 |title=Hundreds flee deadly Tibet snowstorm |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna27460295 |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=NBC News |language=en}}

In December, the December 2008 Northeastern United States ice storm knocked out power to over a million people and caused three fatalities.{{Cite web |last=Dennis |first=Tim |date=2023-12-13 |title=The Ice Storm of '08: Looking Back 15 Years Later |url=https://www.newenglandstormcenter.com/post/the-ice-storm-of-08-looking-back-15-years-later |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=NewEnglandStormCent |language=en}} Soon after, a snowstorm impacted large swaths of Canada and the United States, killing eight people in an avalanche in British Columbia.{{Cite news |date=2008-12-30 |title=Eighth body found in Canada snow |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7803954.stm |access-date=2025-01-16 |language=en-GB}}

{{Clear}}

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In late 2007, drought enveloped Zimbabwe while the country's economy struggled and political problems continued. This problem continued into 2008.{{Cite web |date=2008-05-16 |title=Zimbabwe: Complex Emergency and Drought Situation Report #1 (FY) 2008 - Zimbabwe {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/zimbabwe/zimbabwe-complex-emergency-and-drought-situation-report-1-fy-2008 |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}} Kenya was also in drought starting in 2008 that persisted into 2011, causing an estimated $12 billion in losses.{{Cite web |last1=Gitonga |first1=Samson |last2=Njeri |first2=Catherine |title=Kenya Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) 2008-2011 Drought |url=https://www.gfdrr.org/sites/default/files/publication/pda-2011-kenya.pdf |access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery}} In addition, a multi-year drought enveloped Victoria and New South Wales in Australia between 2007 and 2009. This drought was devastating for farmers.{{Cite web |date=2009-12-11 |title=World of Change: Drought Cycles in Australia |url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/world-of-change/AustraliaNDVI |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=earthobservatory.nasa.gov |language=en}} California was also in a dry spell, which contributed to the devastating 2008 California wildfire season.{{Cite web |title=Annual 2008 Drought Report {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/drought/200813 |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}

2008 was characterized by large amounts of precipitation in parts of the world, including northern South America.{{Cite journal |last=Peterson |first=T. C. |last2=Baringer |first2=M. O. |date=2009-08-01 |title=State of the Climate in 2008 |url=https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/90/8/bams-90-8-stateoftheclimate.xml |journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society |language=EN |volume=90 |issue=8 |pages=S1–S196 |doi=10.1175/BAMS-90-8-StateoftheClimate |issn=0003-0007|doi-access=free }}

Between November 2007 and February 2008, heavy rain hit parts of Bolivia, causing floods that killed 50 people.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200801 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}{{Cite web |title=Bolivia declares flood 'disaster' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2008/2/13/bolivia-declares-flood-disaster |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

In January, 46 people in eastern Africa died from floods triggered by unexpected heavy rain.File:2008 Hanoi flood, 01.jpg.|left|alt=People and cars travel through a flooded street in Hanoi. ]]

In February, heavy rain in Angola triggered floods in Namibia, covering thousands of square kilometers of land{{Cite web |last1=Ellis |first1=Hugh |last2=Matjila |first2=Judy |date=2008-04-16 |title=After devastating floods, Namibians fight cholera and wait for a return to normalcy |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/namibia/after-devastating-floods-namibians-fight-cholera-and-wait-return-normalcy |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=reliefweb |language=en}} and killing at least 42 people by early March.{{Cite news |last=Grobler |first=John |title=Floods in Namibia kill 42 and displace thousands |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-namibia-floods-idUSL0437637720080304/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230506144703/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-namibia-floods-idUSL0437637720080304 |archive-date=2023-05-06 |access-date=2025-01-17 |work=U.S. |language=en-US}} This led to a cholera outbreak and by the 16th of April, 958 cases were reported, with four of them being fatal. In addition, the Philippines received heavy rain, causing flooding and landslides and killing 45 people.

In March, the Midwest received heavy rain, leading to floods that killed 17 people.{{cite news |author=AP writers |date=2008-03-19 |title=17 deaths linked to severe weather |url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4499930 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324232530/http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4499930 |archive-date=March 24, 2008 |access-date=2008-03-19 |work=ABC news}}

In late May, southern parts of China received four rounds of torrential rainfall,{{cite news |date=16 June 2008 |title=20 Days of Rainstorms in South China Affected 15 Provinces |url=http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2008-06-16/202715755518.shtml |access-date=16 June 2008 |publisher=Sina.com |language=Chinese}} resulting in multiple rounds of floods that in total killed over 150 people.{{cite news |date=30 May 2008 |title=Floods Sweeps 12 Province in South China, 93 People Killed, 43 Missing |url=http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2008-05-30/184715652407.shtml |access-date=15 June 2008 |publisher=Sina.com |language=Chinese}}{{Cite news |last=Barboza |first=David |date=2008-06-18 |title=Flooding in Southern China Claims Scores of Victims |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/world/middleeast/18china.html |access-date=2025-01-18 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

During the monsoon season, floods hit parts of India, killing over 2,400 people and submerging over 1,800 villages.{{Cite web |date=2008-09-23 |title=India: Death toll from monsoon floods over 2,400 in India - India {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/india/india-death-toll-monsoon-floods-over-2400-india |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}} The Kosi embankment broke, sending large amounts of water and flooding villages in northern Bihar and Nepal.{{Cite web |date=2008-10-02 |title=Nepal: Koshi Flood - OCHA Saptari Situation Report, 02 Oct 2008 - Nepal {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/nepal/nepal-koshi-flood-ocha-saptari-situation-report-02-oct-2008 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}[http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/EHA-India_Sunsari_Flooding_.pdf SITUATION REPORT BIHAR FLOODS 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203205948/http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/EHA-India_Sunsari_Flooding_.pdf|date=3 December 2008}}

In September, heavy rains caused the retaining wall of a reservoir in China to collapse, causing a major mudslide that inundated a village and killed 277 people.{{cite web |date=2009-06-27 |script-title=zh:山西襄汾溃坝事故12名涉嫌职务犯罪嫌疑人被判刑 |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2009-06/27/content_11611391.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706181212/http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2009-06/27/content_11611391.htm |archive-date=July 6, 2009 |access-date=2013-11-21 |publisher=Xinhua New Agency |language=Chinese}}{{cite news |last=Bradsher |first=Keith |date=2008-09-12 |title=Death toll rises from mud flow in Chinese village |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/12/asia/12mud.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912122430/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/12/asia/12mud.php |archive-date=12 September 2008 |access-date=2008-09-13 |newspaper=International Herald Tribune}}

In early October, Algeria experiences flash flooding, killing 89 people near the town of Ghardaïa.{{Cite web |date=2008-12-22 |title=Algeria: Floods in Ghardaia Emergency Appeal No. MDRDZ001 Operations Update No. 1 - Algeria {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/algeria/algeria-floods-ghardaia-emergency-appeal-no-mdrdz001-operations-update-no-1 |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}} In late October into early November, northern and central areas of Vietnam and parts of southern China experienced flooding after three days of heavy rainfall.{{cite news |date=2008-11-02 |title=Rainfall, flood leaves 47 dead or missing in Vietnam |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/02/content_10294918.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022002531/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/02/content_10294918.htm |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |access-date=2008-11-02 |agency=Xinhua}} At least 100 people were killed, with 66 in Vietnam{{cite news |date=2008-11-03 |title=Floodwaters start to recede in Vietnam capital |url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/131111/Floodwaters-start-to-recede-in-Vietnam-capital |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114081545/http://www.gmanews.tv/story/131111/Floodwaters-start-to-recede-in-Vietnam-capital |archive-date=2010-11-14 |access-date=2008-11-03 |publisher=GMA News}} and 34 in China.{{cite news |date=2008-11-03 |title=Vietnam warns of disease as flood toll rises |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-36293520081103 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125213659/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-36293520081103 |archive-date=January 25, 2016 |access-date=2008-11-03 |work=Reuters}} A few weeks later, Santa Catarina, Brazil was hit by deadly floods caused by heavy rainfall that killed at least 128 people.{{cite web |date=2008-11-24 |title=Mais um corpo é localizado em Santa Catarina; número de mortes chega a 128 |url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/cotidiano/ult95u479255.shtml |access-date=2008-12-14 |publisher=Folha Online |language=Portuguese}}

{{See also|2007-08 Australian bushfire season|2008 California wildfires}}

File:Summer 2008 California wildfires on July 9.jpg

In March, a long-lasting, intense heatwave gripped southern Australia, breaking many records.{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2009 |title=South Australia in 2008 |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/sa/archive/2008.summary.shtml |access-date=January 21, 2025 |website=BOM}} In Adelaide, it was the longest heatwave ever recorded at the time.{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2008 |title=Adelaide Metro in March 2008 Record Heat Wave!!! |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/sa/archive/200803.adelaide.shtml |access-date=January 21, 2025 |website=BOM}}

In April, several wildfires burned in the south-central United States, with one wind-driven fire killing three people in Colorado.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200804 |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}

In June, a heatwave broke several records in the northeastern United States.{{Cite web |title=June 2008 National Climate Report {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/national/200806 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}} About twenty fatalities were recorded, eighteen of which were in the Philadelphia area.{{Cite web |title=Storm Events Database - Event Details {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=114277 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.ncdc.noaa.gov}} Later in the month, California experienced a heat wave, with some records being broken.{{Cite web |last=Pierson |first=David |date=2008-06-21 |title=Heat wave breaks more records |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jun-21-me-heat21-story.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} Six more people were killed when another heatwave hit the Philadelphia area in mid-July.{{Cite web |title=Storm Events Database - Event Details {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=124676 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.ncdc.noaa.gov}}

In addition, around the same time, large amounts of dry thunderstorms swept across California, causing over 2,000 fires. During the summer, wildfires killed over a dozen firefighters and one civilian and injured several others.{{cite web |date=September 2008 |title=2008 June Fire Siege |url=http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_protection/downloads/siege/2008/2008FireSiege_full-book_r6.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924013241/http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_protection/downloads/siege/2008/2008FireSiege_full-book_r6.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=2 September 2015 |publisher=Cal Fire}} A helicopter accident killed nine people, most of them firefighters.{{Cite web |title=Iron 44 Helicopter Crash Fatalities 2008 |url=https://www.lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/iron-44-helicopter-crash-fatalities-2008 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=www.lessons.wildfire.gov}}{{cite web |date=September 2008 |title=2008 June Fire Siege |url=http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_protection/downloads/siege/2008/2008FireSiege_full-book_r6.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924013241/http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_protection/downloads/siege/2008/2008FireSiege_full-book_r6.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=2 September 2015 |publisher=Cal Fire}}

In August, four people were killed in the Dallas area after a long period of hot, humid conditions impacted the area.{{Cite web |title=Storm Events Database - Event Details {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=126132 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.ncdc.noaa.gov}}

{{Main|Tornadoes of 2008}}

File:Tornado damage Clinton.jpg

2008 was an active year for tornadoes in the United States, with 1,692 tornadoes confirmed.{{cite web |title=U.S. Annual Tornado Maps (1952–2011): 2008 Tornadoes |url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/wcm/annualtornadomaps/2008.png |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Storm Prediction Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}} These tornadoes killed 126 people in the US.{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2016 |title=2008 Tornado Fatalities |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/hazstat/tornado08.pdf |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=NOAA}} Fatalities were also reported in China,{{cite web |title=Tornado kills one, causes huge losses in east China_English_Xinhua |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/22/content_8414591.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508024236/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/22/content_8414591.htm |archive-date=2016-05-08 |access-date=2016-04-18}} France,{{Cite web |title=Section : Tornade dans le Nord le 3 août 2008 |url=http://france.meteofrance.com/jsp/site/Portal.jsp?page_id=10279&document_id=20196&portlet_id=41787 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130061858/http://france.meteofrance.com/jsp/site/Portal.jsp?page_id=10279&document_id=20196&portlet_id=41787 |archive-date=2009-01-30 |accessdate=January 31, 2025 |work=Bilan de l'année 2008 |publisher=Météo-France |language=fr}} Bangladesh,{{Cite web |title=Humanitarian | Thomson Reuters Foundation News |url=https://news.trust.org//humanitarian/ |website=news.trust.org}} and Poland.{{Cite journal |last1=Chmielewski |first1=Tadeusz |last2=Nowak |first2=Henryk |last3=Walkowiak |first3=Krystian |date=2013-07-01 |title=Tornado in Poland of August 15, 2008: Results of post-disaster investigation |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167610513000780 |journal=Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics |volume=118 |pages=54–60 |doi=10.1016/j.jweia.2013.04.007 |bibcode=2013JWEIA.118...54C |issn=0167-6105}} January and February were unusually active for tornadoes in the United States.{{cite web |last=Murry |first=Don R. |title=2008 Winter Tornadoes |url=http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/psd/csi/images/Tornado_Fact.Sheet.pdf |access-date=October 18, 2010 |publisher=NOAA}} In January, a sequence of tornado outbreaks impacted the Midwest, with at least 54 tornado reports confirmed from January 7–8, the strongest being an EF3. The outbreak was responsible for at least five deaths.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tornadoes/200815 |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}{{Cite web |last=US Department of Commerce |first=NOAA |title=January 7, 2008 - Tornadoes in Far Southeast Wisconsin |url=https://www.weather.gov/mkx/010708-se-wi-tornadoes |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.weather.gov |language=EN-US}} In February, the largest February tornado outbreak in history{{Cite web |last=Donegan |first=Brian |date=2023-02-13 |title=Where are tornadoes most likely to occur in February? |url=https://www.foxweather.com/learn/february-tornado-threat |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=FOX Weather |language=en-US}} and the deadliest tornado outbreak in 23 years for the United States{{Cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Jeffry |last2=Mead |first2=Corey |last3=Weiss |first3=Steven |title=FORECASTING THE SUPER TUESDAY TORNADO OUTBREAK AT THE SPC: WHY FORECAST UNCERTAINTY DOES NOT NECESSARILY DECREASE AS YOU GET CLOSER TO A HIGH IMPACT WEATHER EVENT |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/evans/sup-tues.pdf |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=SPC}} impacted the Mid-South and the Tennessee Valley, producing 87 tornadoes (five of them rated EF4) and causing 57 fatalities across four states, with more than half of them being in Tennessee.{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=John |date=March 2009 |title=Service Assessment Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of February 5-6, 2008 |url=https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/6991 |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=NOAA}} Several storm systems moved through the southeast and eastern United States in March and April, with one of them moving through downtown Atlanta. May was a very active month, with 460 tornadoes, making it the third most active May ever recorded.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tornadoes/200813 |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}} Notable tornadoes include an EF4 that killed 22 people in Oklahoma and Missouri,{{Cite web |last=Strader |first=Stacie |date=2023-05-10 |title=15 Years Ago: deadly tornado hits Picher, Oklahoma into Missouri |url=https://www.koamnewsnow.com/news/kansas-news/15-years-ago-deadly-tornado-hits-picher-oklahoma-into-missouri/article_a19869ee-ef70-11ed-8380-b7319dc49336.html |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=KOAM News Now |language=en}} and an EF5 that impacted the town of Parkersburg, Iowa, killing seven in the town and two in New Hartford.{{Cite web |last=Jungbluth |first=Karl |title=PARKERSBURG - NEW HARTFORD, IOWA EF-5 TORNADO |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/dmx/SigEvents/2008-05-25_ParkersburgTrackPoster.pdf |access-date=January 31, 2024 |website=NOAA}} Severe weather continued into June with 289 tornadoes being confirmed. In August, remnants of multiple tropical cyclones produced several tornado reports, with 141 preliminary reports of tornadoes being received.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tornadoes/200808 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}} In addition, a tornado outbreak occurred in Europe, with an F4 tornado killing three people in France. Multiple tropical cyclone-related tornado outbreaks occurred in September.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tornadoes/200809 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}} In mid-November, two people were killed by tornadoes in North Carolina.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tornadoes/200811 |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}

{{Clear}}

Tropical cyclonesFile:Nargis 2008-05-01 0440Z.jpg

In early February, Cyclone Ivan made landfall in eastern Madagascar, affecting some areas already hit by Cyclone Fame, and killing 93 people and displacing nearly 200,000.{{Cite web |date=2008-03-10 |title=Madagascar: Cyclones Situation Report No. 3 - 10 Mar 2008 - Madagascar {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/madagascar/madagascar-cyclones-situation-report-no-3-10-mar-2008?OpenDocument=&cc=mdg&rc=1 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}} Early in March, Cyclone Jokwe impacted parts of Mozambique and the northern tip of Madagascar, killing 20 in Mozambique and destroying over 8,000 homes.{{Cite web |title=March 2008 Global Hazards {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200803 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}} In April, Typhoon Neoguri developed and became the earliest tropical cyclone to hit China since 1949. Three fatalities were recorded, and 40 fishermen went missing.{{Cite web |title=April 2008 Global Hazards {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200804#tropical |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}} Soon after, the deadliest storm to impact Asia since 1991{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Jangira |date=2021-09-20 |title=14 of the Worst Typhoons in Asia |url=https://earth.org/worst-typhoons-in-asia/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Earth.Org |language=en}} impacted Myanmar, killing over 138,000 people{{cite web |date=21 January 2009 |title=Natural catastrophes and man-made disasters in 2008: North America and Asia suffer heavy losses |url=http://www.preventionweb.net/files/8841_Sigma22009e.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605141117/https://www.preventionweb.net/files/8841_Sigma22009e.pdf |archive-date=2022-06-05 |access-date=16 January 2010 |publisher=Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd |page=24}} and causing over $12 billion in damage. In May, Tropical Storm Halong formed west of the Philippines, tracked east, and made landfall on the west coast of the island nation. A total of 61 people were killed and three left missing.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110530001430/http://210.185.184.53/ndccWeb/images/ndccWeb/ndcc_update/TC_COSME/final%20report%20cosme.pdf Final Report on the Aftermath of Tropical Storm “COSME” (Halong) and the Rehabilitation Efforts in Pangasinan] GLENN J RABONZA, July 21, 2008, National Disaster Management Center, Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines In June, Typhoon Fengshen killed over 1,400 people, with 800 of those being on the MV Princess of the Stars when it capsized in the storm. July was an active month for tropical cyclones, with Typhoon Kalmaegi killing a total of 25 people in Taiwan, Korea, and the Philippines.{{cite web |author=Anthony T. Golez Jr. |date=July 18, 2008 |title=NDCC Update: Severe Weather Final Bulletin on Typhoon "Helen" |url=http://210.185.184.53/ndccWeb/images/ndccWeb/ndcc_advisory/TC_Helan/sitrep4_ty_helen.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530001728/http://210.185.184.53/ndccWeb/images/ndccWeb/ndcc_advisory/TC_Helan/sitrep4_ty_helen.pdf |archive-date=May 30, 2011 |accessdate=February 16, 2009 |publisher=National Disaster Coordinating Council}}{{cite news |date=2008-07-21 |title=19 killed by Typhoon Kalmaegi in Taiwan |url=http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=361&sec=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927071331/http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=361&sec=1 |archive-date=2008-09-27 |accessdate=2008-07-27 |publisher=Asia News Network}}{{cite news |author=ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, 41st Session |year=2008 |title=Review of the 2008 Typhoon Season Annual publications: Republic of Korea |url=http://www.typhooncommittee.org/41st/docs/TC41_NatlRpt_ROK.doc |accessdate=2009-01-11 |publisher=Korea Meteorological Agency}} It was soon followed by Hurricane Dolly, causing 22 fatalities, with most of them in Guatemala, and Typhoon Fung-wong, which killed at least 6 people in parts of East Asia and the Philippines.{{Cite web |title=July 2008 Global Hazards {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200807#tropical |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}} In August, Tropical Storm Kammuri caused major flooding in Vietnam, killing at least 127 people.{{cite news |title=Storm death toll at 127 | NEWS.com.au |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24187955-23109,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917201027/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24187955-23109,00.html |archive-date=September 17, 2008}} India was also hit by a tropical depression that killed over 60 people from flooding.{{cite news |author=Press Trust of India |date=August 12, 2008 |title=Death toll in AP rains rises to 61 |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200808120343.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616141330/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200808120343.htm |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |access-date=May 19, 2013 |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Hyderabad, India}} In the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Fay made four landfalls and impacted areas of the Caribbean and Florida, causing 36 fatalities.{{Cite web |title=August 2008 Global Hazards {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200808#tropical |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}} Fay was soon followed by Gustav, which killed 153 people, more than half which were in Haiti,{{Cite web |title=Hurricanes: Science and Society: 2008- Hurricane Gustav |url=https://www.hurricanescience.org/history/storms/2000s/gustav/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=www.hurricanescience.org}} and Hurricane Hanna, which caused a total of 537 deaths, most of which were attributed to flooding in the northern part of Haiti.{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Chris |title=Hurricane Hanna - September 6, 2008 |url=https://www.weather.gov/mhx/sep062008eventreview |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=www.weather.gov |language=EN-US}} In early September, Hurricane Ike made landfall in Texas after sweeping thought the Caribbean, impacting areas already hit by Gustav and causing nearly 200 deaths.{{cite report |url={{NHC TCR url|id=AL092008_Ike}} |title=Hurricane Ike: November 5 - 9, 2008 |author=Berg, Robbie |author2=National Hurricane Center |date=March 18, 2014 |publisher=United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service |access-date=June 30, 2016 |type=Tropical Cyclone Report}} A couple weeks later, Typhoon Hagupit impacted large parts of South and Southeast Asia, killing at least 93 people.{{cite web |date=September 26, 2008 |title=Typhoon Hagupit leaves 17 dead, two missing in S Chinese city |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/26/content_10118104.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001002425/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/26/content_10118104.htm |archive-date=October 1, 2008 |accessdate=May 12, 2015 |work=Xinhua |publisher=China View |location=Guangzhou, China}}{{cite report |url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/CCB180FB8EC4DF31492574E5000D101E-Full_Report.pdf |title=SitRep No. 14: Re Effects of Typhoon "Nina" (Hagupit) |date=October 3, 2008 |publisher=ReliefWeb |work=National Disaster Coordinating Council |accessdate=May 12, 2015}}{{cite news |date=2008-09-22 |title=China: Taiwan braces for strong Typhoon Hagupit |url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/LSGZ-7JQQWP?OpenDocument |accessdate=2008-09-29 |publisher=DPA}}{{Cite web |date=2008-09-29 |title=The New Humanitarian {{!}} Typhoon Hagupit unleashes floods, killing 41 |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/ar/node/243308 |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=www.thenewhumanitarian.org |language=ar}}{{Cite web |date=2008-09-28 |title=Fierce storm kills dozens in Vietnam, Thailand |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20080928-fierce-storm-kills-dozens-vietnam-thailand-typhoon |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=France 24 |language=en}} In October, Hurricane Norbert made landfall in Baja California and Sonora, killing 25 people.{{cite web |author=Susan M. Palmer |date=Fall 2008 |title=Hurricane Norbert, Heavy Rains Slam NW Mexico |url=http://pnmc.mennonite.net/:/Evangel/2008Fall.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327191106/http://pnmc.mennonite.net/:/Evangel/2008Fall.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2012 |access-date=June 18, 2011 |publisher=Evangel |language=es}} Deep Depression ARB 02 affected Yemen, causing massive floods that killed 180 people.{{cite web |date=October 28, 2008 |title=Dozens killed by floods in Yemen |url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/EGUA-7KUL5K?OpenDocument |access-date=May 2, 2016 |work=World Health Organization |publisher=ReliefWeb}} In late November, Cyclone Nisha caused devastating floods in Sri Lanka and India, killing a total of 204 people, 189 of which were in India.{{Cite web |date=28 November 2008 |title=Sri Lanka: Allow aid groups to help cyclone victims - Sri Lanka |url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/EDIS-7LTQR4?OpenDocument}}{{cite news |date=7 December 2008 |title=Deep depression over Bay of Bengal weakens: Met Dept. |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200812071604.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103142719/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200812071604.htm |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}

This is a timeline of weather events in 2008.

File:Leiyang_200802.jpg after an ice storm|alt=The image shows a layer of snow over the ground in Leiyang, China, with several trees coated in ice. The branches of those trees are sagging due to the weight of the ice.]]

• Winter of 2007–2008 – The third-deadliest blizzard in history kills at least 926 people in Afghanistan.{{Cite news |last=Press |first=The Associated |date=2008-02-16 |title=Afghanistan: Bitter Winter Claims More Than 900 Lives |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/16/world/asia/16briefs-cold.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
• November 2007 – February 2008 – Floods caused by rain killed at least 50 people in Bolivia.
• December 30, 2007 – January 2, 2008 – A winter storm affected parts of the central and northeastern United States. Several people were killed in traffic accidents.{{Cite web |date=2008-01-03 |title=New Year's Snowstorm in United States |url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/19474/new-years-snowstorm-in-united-states |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=earthobservatory.nasa.gov |language=en}}
• January 2–3 – A winter storm took place across portions of central Europe, including Bulgaria and Romania. Four sailors perished when their cargo ship sank in the Kerch Strait.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7169556.stm Storm brings chaos to Black Sea], BBC News, January 3, 2008.
• January 3–11 – A winter storm killed at least 12 people across the Pacific Northwest.
• January 5–7 – A blizzard in Iran kills at least 21 people and injures 88.
• January 7–8 – A tornado outbreak results in 54 confirmed tornadoes across the Midwest. Five people were killed.
• January 10 – February 6 – A major ice storm struck parts of China, causing over $22 billion{{Usdcy|22000000000|2008}} in economic losses and killing 129.
• January 13 – Flooding in eastern Africa kills 46 people.
• January 24–29 – Cyclone Fame results in 13 fatalities in Madagascar.{{Cite web |date=2008-02-29 |title=Death toll from Madagascar cyclone hits 83 - Madagascar {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/madagascar/death-toll-madagascar-cyclone-hits-83 |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}
• January 24 – February 9 – Cyclone Gene kills seven people in Fiji.{{Cite web |date=2009-05-23 |title=South Pacific: Tropical Cyclone Gene - Jan 2008 {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/disaster/tc-2008-000016-fji |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}

File:MoultonEF42008.jpg

• Early February – April – Floods kill 42 people in Namibia and cause a cholera outbreak with at least four fatal cases.
• February – Heavy rain causes flooding across Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina. Nearly 50 fatalities were reported.
• February 5–6 – The largest February tornado outbreak in history causes at least 57 fatalities across the United States.
• February 14–27 – Flooding and landslides caused by heavy rain impact the Philippines, killing 44 people and submerging many houses.
• February 17 – Severe storms sweep through part of the southeastern United States, with 49 reported tornadoes. No deaths were reported, but there were nearly 50 injuries.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200802 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}
• February 17 – Cyclone Ivan makes landfall on Madagascar, affecting areas hit just a month ago by Fame. 93 fatalities were reported.
• February 29 – March 1 – Cyclone Emma impacts several countries in Europe. 15 people were killed or went missing.

File:March 2008 blizzard.jpg|alt=A row of plants similar to wheat can be seen bending to the left due to winds. Visibility is low due to the North American blizzard of 2008, and a layer of snow is seen on the ground.]]

• March 1–17 – The longest heatwave ever recorded in Adelaide scorches Southern Australia, with 15 consecutive days with maximum temperature exceeding {{convert|95|F|C}}.
• March 5–9 – Cyclone Jokwe makes landfall first in Madagascar, then in Mozambique, causing 20 deaths.
• March 6–10 – The North American blizzard of 2008 causes a total of 17 deaths. One death was attributed to an EF2 tornado in Florida.{{Cite web |title=Storm Events Database - Event Details {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=74589 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=www.ncdc.noaa.gov}}
• March 17–26 – Floods impact the Midwestern United States, killing 17 people.{{Cite web |title=Flood Event March 2008 |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/lsx/Events/03_18_2008.pdf |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=NOAA}}
• March 28–31 – Heavy rain causes floods in Kenya, killing at least seven.
• March 30 – April 11 – Floods in Brazil kill 26 people in the state of Paraíba.{{Cite web |date=2008-04-17 |title=USG responds to flooding in Brazil - Brazil {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/brazil/usg-responds-flooding-brazil |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}

File:Neoguri 2008-04-17 0550Z.jpg

• April 13–21 – Typhoon Neoguri impacts China, killing three people, two of which were caused by a mudslide. Forty fishermen went missing.
• April 15 – Three people are killed and thousands are evacuated by a wildfire in Colorado.{{Cite web |last1=Stelton-Holtmeier |first1=Jenel |last2=Bunch |first2=Joey |date=2008-04-16 |title=Three dead in wildfires |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/04/16/three-dead-in-wildfires/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}}
• April 24 – Three people are killed and two injured when heavy rain triggers a mudslide in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.{{Cite web |last=Delva |first=Joseph |date=April 24, 2008 |title=Mudslide kills three in Haitian capital |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/economy/mudslide-kills-three-in-haitian-capital-idUSN24210317/ |access-date=February 11, 2025 |website=Reuters}}
• April 27–28 – Floods in Sri Lanka kill seven people.
• April 27 – May 3 – Cyclone Nargis forms and makes landfall in Myanmar. It was the deadliest storm to impact Asia since 1991, killing over 138,000 people and causing over $12 billion in damage.

File:Descending reflectivity core in EF5 Tornado in Parkersburg and New Hartford, Iowa.png, while a red arrow near the bottom left corner shows the hook echo of the supercell.]]

• May 1–2 – A tornado outbreak with over 90 tornadoes rips through the central United States, causing seven fatalities.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200805 |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}
• May 7–11 – A sequence of tornado outbreaks impacts the central United States, with over 80 preliminary reports of tornadoes on May 10 alone. One particularly deadly tornado impacted parts of Oklahoma and Missouri, killing 21 people.{{Cite journal |date=October 2009 |title=Mother's Day weekend tornado in Oklahoma and Missouri, May 10, 2008 |url=https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/6984 |journal=Service Assessments |language=en |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}}
• May 7–14 – Despite never making landfall, Typhoon Rammasun's rain bands cause two fatalities in the Philippines.
• May 12 – The MV Nazimuddin sinks in the Ghoratura River in Bangladesh due to a storm, killing at least 44 people.{{Cite web |date=2008-05-14 |title=44 killed in Bangladesh ferry disaster |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/302617 |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}
• May 21–26 – Heavy rain causes floods that kill five people in Chile.
• May 22–27 – A violent EF5 tornado, part of a larger tornado outbreak, tore through the towns of Parkersburg, Iowa, and New Hartford, Iowa, killing 9 people. This would be the first F/EF5 tornado to hit Iowa since the 1976 Jordan tornado.{{Cite web |title=Service Assessment EF5 Tornado in Parkersburg and New Hartford, Iowa May 25, 2008 |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/dmx/SigEvents/2008-05-25_ParkersburgServiceAssessment.pdf |access-date=January 15, 2025 |website=NWS Des Moines}}
• May 25 – A tornado and a hailstorm hit Wuchang, Heilongjiang, killing one person and injuring over 30.{{cite web |date=25 May 2008 |title=Storm lashes city |url=http://www.shanghaidaily.com/news/20080525/360736 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514015309/http://www.shanghaidaily.com/news/20080525/360736 |archive-date=2016-05-14 |access-date=2016-04-19 |website=Shanghai Daily}}
• May 26–27 – Mongolia was hit with a heavy snowstorm causing at least 52 fatalities. Large amounts of livestock were killed.
• May 26 – June 14 – Four rounds of flooding impacted parts of China{{Cite web |title=南方已遭20天强降雨 15省区受波及_新闻中心_新浪网 |url=https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2008-06-16/202715755518.shtml |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=news.sina.com.cn}} that in total killed over 150 people.
• May 28–29 – Tropical Storm Alma forms off the coast of Costa Rica. Nine people were killed in León, Nicaragua and two people died in Costa Rica.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tropical-cyclones/200805 |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}{{cite web |author1=Werner Stolz |author2=Gabriela Chinchilla |name-list-style=amp |title=Tormenta Tropical Alma y sus efectos en Costa Rica (27-30 de mayo de 2008) |url=http://www.imn.ac.cr/publicaciones/ttalma.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716143353/http://www.imn.ac.cr/publicaciones/ttalma.PDF |archive-date=2011-07-16 |access-date=2009-03-28 |publisher=Instituto Meteorólogico Nacional |language=es }}
• May 31 – June 1 – Five fatalities in Belize were directly attributed to Tropical Storm Arthur.{{Cite web |author=Blake/Knabb |year=2008 |title=Tropical Weather Summary – June 2008 |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/tws/MIATWSAT_jun.shtml? |access-date=2008-07-01 |publisher=National Hurricane Center}}

File:June 2008 Northern California Wildfires on July 18.jpg

• June – September – Several rounds of monsoon flooding sweep through South and Southeast Asia, with dozens of fatalities reported.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200807 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200809 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}
• June 4–11 – Several tornado outbreaks sweep through Central and Eastern North America. One tornado hits a Boy Scout camp, killing 4 people and injuring dozens.{{Cite web |last=Meyer |first=Joseph |date=2023-06-05 |title=June 4-11, 2008 {{!}} A Week of Severe Weather |url=https://www.3newsnow.com/weather/weather-history/june-4-11-2008-a-week-of-severe-weather |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=KMTV 3 News Now Omaha |language=en}}
• June 4–13 – Five people are killed by floods caused by heavy rain in Oaxaca, Mexico.
• June 16–18 – Depression BOB 02 forms and makes landfall in Bangladesh. Large amounts of rain were recorded over parts of West Bengal, causing floods that kill over 50 people.{{cite web |author=Regional Specialised Meteorological Center New Delhi, India |date=January 2009 |title=Report on Cyclonic Disturbances over North Indian Ocean during 2008 |url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/RSMC%202008.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5om6UeSJs?url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/rsmc11.pdf |archive-date=April 6, 2010 |access-date=November 3, 2012 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |df=mdy}}{{cite web |author=Subir Bhaumik |date=June 20, 2008 |title=India floods toll rises above 50 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7465488.stm |access-date=May 19, 2013 |publisher=British Broadcasting Company |location=Calcutta, India}}
• June 18–25 – Typhoon Fengshen makes two landfalls: one in the Philippines, and another in southern China.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200806 |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}} Over 1,400 people were killed; 800 of them were on the MV Princess of the Stars when it capsized.
• June 20 – A tornado hits the province of Anhui, China, killing one and injuring nearly 50.{{cite web |title=Tornado kills one, injures 49 in east China_English_Xinhua |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/20/content_8409799.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507225211/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/20/content_8409799.htm |archive-date=2016-05-07 |access-date=2016-04-18}}
• June 20–21 – A series of dry thunderstorms sweeps across California, causing over 2,000 fires. These fires ended up killing over a dozen firefighters, with some fires burning until September.{{cite web |date=September 2008 |title=2008 June Fire Siege |url=http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_protection/downloads/siege/2008/2008FireSiege_full-book_r6.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924013241/http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_protection/downloads/siege/2008/2008FireSiege_full-book_r6.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=2 September 2015 |publisher=Cal Fire}}

File:Kalmaegi 2008-07-17 0225Z.jpg

• July 14–18 – Typhoon Kalmaegi made two landfalls in Taiwan and China and enhanced monsoon rains in the Philippines. 25 people were killed.
• July 20–25 – Hurricane Dolly causes massive flooding in Guatemala and makes landfalls in the Yucatán Peninsula and in Texas. 23 fatalities were recorded, 21 of which were in Guatemala.
• July 23–26 – Seven fatalities were reported when floods impacted South Korea.
• July 23 – August 5 – Widespread flooding impacts parts of eastern Europe, killing at least 40 people.
• July 24 – An long-tracked EF2 tornado travels through New Hampshire. One fatality was reported.{{Cite web |last=Downey |first=K. C. |date=2023-07-23 |title=From the archives: Powerful, destructive tornado struck New Hampshire in 2008, killing grandmother |url=https://www.wmur.com/article/2008-new-hampshire-tornado/37104776 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=WMUR |language=en}}
• July 25–28 – Typhoon Fung-wong affects several countries in Asia, killing 20 people. Four people were missing.
• July 27–28 – Heavy rain in western Japan causes mudslides and flooding that kills four people.{{Cite web |title=Floods, mudslides in Japan kill 4 |url=https://www.news9.com/story/5e35085be0c96e774b36f7a0/floods-mudslides-in-japan-kill-4 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=www.news9.com |language=en}}

File:Hurricane Gustav 30 Aug 2008 1605z.jpg

• August 3–4 – A tornado outbreak sweeps through parts of Europe. An F4 tornado kills three people in France.
• August 3–6 – Tropical Storm Edouard makes landfall along the Texas coast, killing one person.{{Cite web |last=Franklin |first=James |date=November 14, 2008 |title=Tropical Cyclone Report Tropical Storm Edouard (AL052008) 3-6 August 2008 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL052008_Edouard.pdf |access-date=February 24, 2025 |website=NOAA}}
• August 3–8 – Tropical Storm Kammuri causes 127 deaths in Vietnam.
• August 4–5 – 27 people were killed, most in North-West Frontier Province, in floods in India and Pakistan.{{Cite web |title=Pakistan floods displace thousands |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2008/8/5/pakistan-floods-displace-thousands |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}
• August 4–5 – Severe storms sweep through the Midwest United States, killing two people.
• August 9–10 – A depression passes through parts of India, killing over 60 people.
• August 15–23 – Tropical Storm Fay impacts the Caribbean and the southwest United States, making four landfalls in Florida. A total of 36 deaths were reported.
• August 18–22 – Typhoon Nuri makes landfall in the Philippines and Hong Kong, killing at least ten people.
• August 25 – September 4 – Hurricane Gustav wreaks havoc on the Caribbean, making three landfalls. Over 150 people were killed, about half of which were in Haiti.
• August 28 – September 7 – Hurricane Hanna causes massive floods that kill at least 537 people, most in Haiti.
• August 29 – Floods in Japan kill one person.{{Cite web |title=Thousands flee Japan floods |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2008/8/29/thousands-flee-japan-floods |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}
• August 31 – Heavy rain and floods impact parts of southern Chile. Four deaths were reported.{{Cite web |title=Asian Disaster Reduction Center（ADRC） |url=https://www.adrc.asia/view_disaster_en.php?lang=&KEY=1206 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.adrc.asia}}

File:Ike 2008-09-04 0645Z.jpg

• September 1–14 – Hurricane Ike tracked through parts of the Caribbean and along parts of the Gulf Coast. In total, nearly 200 fatalities were reported.
• September 3 – A tornado associated with Hurricane Gustav kills two people.
• September 6–8 – Six people were reported dead when floods impacted the United Kingdom.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=September 10, 2008 |title=Six die as floods hit UK |url=https://www.edie.net/six-die-as-floods-hit-uk/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Edie |language=en-GB}}
• September 8 – A major mudslide was caused by the failure of a retaining wall due to heavy rains, inundating a village and killing 277 people.
• September 8–21 – Typhoon Sinlaku kills at least 14 people in Taiwan.{{cite web |author=Xinhua News Agency |date=September 17, 2008 |title=China: Typhoon death toll rises to 12 in Taiwan, more missing |url=http://ocha-gwapps1.unog.ch/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/LSGZ-7JKMBL?OpenDocument&query=Typhoon%20Sinlaku&emid=TC-2008-000159-TWN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707004907/http://ocha-gwapps1.unog.ch/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/LSGZ-7JKMBL?OpenDocument&query=Typhoon%20Sinlaku&emid=TC-2008-000159-TWN |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |accessdate=March 19, 2009 |publisher=ReliefWeb}}
• September 15–19 – Deep Depression BOB 04 causes floods that kill 25 people in Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.{{cite web |title=15 killed as torrential rains lash Uttar Pradesh |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/enviornment/15-killed-as-torrential-rains-lash-uttar-pradesh-lead_10097956.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608033403/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/enviornment/15-killed-as-torrential-rains-lash-uttar-pradesh-lead_10097956.html |archive-date=June 8, 2010 |access-date=September 20, 2008 |publisher=Thai Indian}}{{cite web |title=Flash floods in Orissa kill three, affect one million |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/flash-floods-in-orissa-kill-three-affect-one-million-lead_10097205.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524085938/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/flash-floods-in-orissa-kill-three-affect-one-million-lead_10097205.html |archive-date=May 24, 2011 |access-date=September 17, 2008 |publisher=Thai Indian}}
• September 18–25 – Typhoon Hagupit impacts large parts of South and Southeast Asia, killing at least 93 people.
• September 21–23 – The precursor to Hurricane Kyle dumps torrential rainfall on Puerto Rico, killing six people (three direct and three indirect).{{Cite web |title=Storm Events Database - Event Details {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=136057 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.ncdc.noaa.gov}}
• September 23 – October 1 – Typhoon Jangmi kills two people in Taiwan and four in Japan.{{cite web |script-title=ja:気象災害報告 (2008-918-08) |url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=2008-918-08&lang= |accessdate=June 10, 2013 |publisher=National Institute of Informatics |language=Japanese}}{{cite web |script-title=ja:気象災害報告 (2008-927-08) |url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=2008-927-08&lang= |accessdate=June 10, 2013 |publisher=National Institute of Informatics |language=Japanese}}{{cite web |script-title=ja:気象災害報告 (2008-936-09) |url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=2008-936-09&lang= |accessdate=June 10, 2013 |publisher=National Institute of Informatics |language=Japanese}}
• September 27–30 – Tropical Storm Mekkhala impacts Vietnam. Eight people were killed and another eight were missing.{{Cite web |date=2008-10-02 |title=Vietnam gets pounded by another deadly storm |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna26990852 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=NBC News |language=en}}

File:TC03A2008.jpg

• October – The October 2008 Central America floods kill over 100 people.{{cite web |author=Daniel P. Brown |date=2008-11-19 |title=Tropical Depression Sixteen Tropical Cyclone Report |url={{NHC TCR url|id=AL162008_Sixteen}} |access-date=2013-12-05 |publisher=National Hurricane Center |format=PDF}}{{cite web |date=2008-10-17 |title=Nicaragua: Datos preliminares ante las afectaciones por intensas lluvias |url=http://reliefweb.int/report/nicaragua/nicaragua-datos-preliminares-ante-las-afectaciones-por-intensas-lluvias |access-date=2013-12-06 |publisher=ReliefWeb |language=es |agency=Government of Nicaragua}}{{cite web |date=2008-11-11 |title=Honduras and Central America: Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 9 |url=http://reliefweb.int/report/honduras/honduras-and-central-america-floods-ocha-situation-report-no-9 |access-date=2013-12-08 |agency=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs}}
• October 2 – Flash floods in Algeria caused by heavy rain kills 89 people.
• October 3–12 – Hurricane Norbert makes two landfalls in Mexico, resulting in 25 confirmed fatalities.
• October 13–18 – Hurricane Omar kills one person in Puerto Rico.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200810 |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}
• October 16–24 – Tropical Storm Asma kills one person.{{cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=November 4, 2008 |title=Le cyclone Asma fait une victime à Andapa |url=http://www.lexpressmada.com/index.php/pub/2008/index.php?p=display&id=21986 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716061416/http://www.lexpressmada.com/index.php/pub/2008/index.php?p=display&id=21986 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |access-date=March 30, 2009 |publisher=L'Express de Madagascar |language=fr}}
• October 20–30 – Flash flooding in Morocco results in 28 fatalities. 200 mud-brick houses were destroyed.{{Cite web |title=28 killed in Morocco floods |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/28-killed-in-morocco-floods-20081030 |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}
• October 23 – Deep Depression ARB 02 makes landfall in Yemen, causing heavy rain that results in 180 deaths.
• October 26–27 – Cyclone Rashmi kills 15 people in Bangladesh, with 50 people gone missing.
• October 26–30 – A blizzard in Tibet dumps nearly 25 inches of snow, with six people reported dead.
• October 30 – November 4 – Flooding impacts Vietnam and China, resulting in a total of 100 deaths.

File:Chuva_em_Santa_Catarina.JPG in Santa Catarina|alt=The picture shows a flooded road in the province of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Two people are on a canoe, rowing thought the waters. A row of palm tree trunks are on the right. ]]

• November ? – After a river in Ethiopia bursts its banks, severe flooding occurs, killing at least 11 people.{{Cite news |date=2008-11-17 |title=Flooding kills 11 in Ethiopia |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-11-17/flooding-kills-11-in-ethiopia/2684734 |access-date=2025-02-27 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}
• November 4–9 – One fatality was reported from floods caused by Hurricane Paloma.{{cite web |author=Government of Jamaica |year=2009 |title=Jamaica's Report on the 2008 Hurricane Season |url=http://www.cmo.org.tt/Docs/CMC48/Country%20Reports%202008/Jamaica.doc |access-date=March 17, 2009 |publisher=World Meteorological Organization}}
• November 6–14 – Tropical Storm Maysak kills at least 24 people in the Philippines and Vietnam.{{Cite web |date=2009-01-19 |title=Tropical Storm Maysak - Nov 2008 {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/disaster/tc-2008-000222-phl |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}
• November 9–16 – Heavy rain falls across parts of South Africa, causing flooding that kills at least five people.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200811 |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}
• November 14–17 – Tropical Storm Noul drops heavy rain that kills 21 people in Vietnam.{{cite web |date=November 20, 2008 |title=Central Vietnam floods peak, toll rises to 21 |url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/MUMA-7LK7EB?OpenDocument&query=Tropical%20Storm%20Noul&emid=TC-2008-000229-VNM |access-date=March 19, 2009 |publisher=ReliefWeb |agency=Reuters}}
• November 15 – A strong line of thunderstorms southeast of Raleigh, North Carolina produces five tornadoes. Two people were killed.
• November 20–23 – Heavy rains sets off landslides and flooding in Venezuela that kill nine people.{{Cite news |date=2008-11-22 |title=Nine dead in Venezuela storms |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-11-22/nine-dead-in-venezuela-storms/215196 |access-date=2025-02-27 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}
• November 22 – Panama experiences flooding that kills ten people.{{Cite web |date=2008-12-02 |title=UN bolsters aid efforts in Panama as floods worsen {{!}} UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2008/12/283852 |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=news.un.org |language=en}}
• November 22–24 – 128 people are killed after heavy rain causes floods in parts of Brazil, particularly in Santa Catarina.
• November 25–29 – Cyclone Nisha caused floods in Sri Lanka and India, killing over 200 people.
• Late November – Sri Lanka is pounded by heavy rain, causing floods that kill at least seven people.{{Cite news |date=2008-11-29 |title=Sri Lankan Floods Uproot Thousands |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/world/asia/30lanka.html |access-date=2025-02-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

File:December 2008 ice storm damage at Storm King trailhead.jpg trailhead in Cornwall, New York|alt=The image shows a layer of snow over the ground in New York, with several trees coated in ice. Storm King Mountain is visible in the background. The branches of those trees are sagging or are broken due to the weight of the ice.]]

• December 8 – Ten people were killed when floods hit part of the Philippines.{{Cite web |date=2008-12-16 |title=Philippines: Death toll in Region 8 flooding reaches 10 - Philippines {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-death-toll-region-8-flooding-reaches-10?OpenDocument=&cc=phl&rc=3 |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}
• December 11–15 – Floods impact part of Rome, with four fatalities reported.{{Cite news |last=Rizzo |first=Alessandra |date=2008-12-13 |title=Emergency declared in Rome as Tiber threatens to burst its banks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/dec/13/italy |access-date=2025-02-28 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
• December 12 – Four people were killed when an ice storm impacts the Northeastern United States.{{Cite web |title=Monthly Climate Reports {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/hazards/200812 |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=www.ncei.noaa.gov}}
• December 15–16 – Heavy rain falls on the island of Mallorca, causing a hotel collapse that kills four people.
• December 28 – An avalanche occurred following heavy snow in British Columbia, killing eight people.

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• 2008 in the environment
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Category:2008 meteorology

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