Meteorological history Hurricane Florence (1988)

map plotting track , intensity of storm, according saffir–simpson scale

on september 4, cold front exited coast of texas gulf of mexico. convective band front continued southeastward , stalled between veracruz, mexico , tampa, florida. band began split 2 on september 6; northeastern portion developed frontal wave , tracked northeastward, while southwestern portion remained stationary , began showing signs of tropical organization. located in area of low pressures, system developed spiral band structure, though deep convection intermittent. subsequent formation of surface circulation, system developed tropical depression while located 450 miles (725 km) northwest of mérida, yucatán.

tropical storm florence on september 9

the depression drifted eastward under influence of dissipating frontal trough, , intensified tropical storm florence north of yucatán peninsula, confirmed hurricane hunters. initially, center located north of deep convection, 1 weak rainband north of circulation. however, subsequent drop in vertical wind shear, increase in moisture, , increase in upper-level outflow, deep convection increased , organized on circulation on september 9. trough dissipated , ridge built northwestward behind it, steering currents became weak, leaving florence temporarily stationary. later on september 9, influence of mid- upper-level trough north caused florence accelerate northward. steadily intensifying, florence attained hurricane status 100 miles (165 km) south of mouth of mississippi river. hurricane intensified further, , struck western mississippi river delta winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) @ 0200 utc on september 10. upon making landfall, dry air became entrained in circulation, , florence rapidly weakened on southeastern louisiana. time passed on new orleans , lake ponchartrain convection had dissipated, , ten hours after making landfall florence degenerated tropical depression. system subsequently crossed on southwestern mississippi turned northwestward, , later entered northern louisiana before dissipating on northeastern texas on september 11. mid-level circulation turned northeastward through central united states before dissipating on ohio on september 13.