On October 21, 1998, a tropical depression formed in the southern Caribbean Sea. One day later the storm became a tropical storm and was given the name "Mitch". Mitch moved very little over the next few days, drifting to the northwest, and gathering strength. A sharp increase in intensity occurred between the afternoon of October 23 and October 26 during which time Mitch strengthened from a tropical storm with 60knot/winds, to a Saffir-Simpson category [Saffir-Simpson Scale] 5 hurricane with winds of 155knots.