the seventh named storm and third hurricane of the 1988 atlantic hurricane season, gilbert developed from a tropical wave on september 8 while located 400 mi (640 km) east of barbados. following intensification into a tropical storm the next day, gilbert steadily strengthened as it tracked west-northwestward into the caribbean sea. on september 10, gilbert attained hurricane intensity, and rapidly intensified into a category 3 hurricane on september 11. after striking jamaica the following day, rapid intensification occurred once again, and the storm became a category 5 hurricane on the saffir–simpson hurricane wind scale late on september 13. gilbert then weakened slightly, and made landfall on the yucatán peninsula later that day while maintaining category 5 intensity. after landfall, gilbert weakened rapidly over the yucatán peninsula, and emerged into the gulf of mexico as a category 2 storm on september 15. gradual intensification occurred as gilbert tracked across the gulf of mexico, and the storm made landfall as a category 3 hurricane in mainland mexico on september 16. the hurricane gradually weakened after landfall, and eventually dissipated on september 19 over the midwestern united states.