A review of the 2008 hurricane, tropical cyclone and typhoon Season

2008 was a below average year for hurricanes, tropical cyclones and typhoons, only the Atlantic Ocean and North Indian Ocean recorded above average numbers. Cyclone Nargis was the most noticeable storm of the year with hundreds of thousands of fatalities and damage running to billions affecting Burma (Myanmar). Haiti also suffered badly after being hit by 4 consecutive hurricanes. Typhoon Jangmi was the only category 5 event identified but after re-evaluation, being initially designated as a category 4 event. A breakup of the warm phase of the El Nino has been suggested as a way of understanding and improving the forecast of the Atlantic Hurricane Season.