The third named storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, Cristobal formed on July 19 from a trough of low pressure off the Southeast U.S. Coast.

The storm dropped 3.43 in (87 mm) of rain in Wilmington, North Carolina, where minor flooding was reported.

Additionally, the extratropical remnants contributed to rainfall on Nova Scotia which caused some street and basement flooding.

[1] A weak low pressure area developed on July 15 near Tallahassee,[2] which moved southeastward into the Gulf of Mexico.

[8] Located between a ridge to its southeast and northwest, the depression moved slowly northeastward, and with a marginally favorable upper-level environment, it attained minimal tropical storm status during the early afternoon of July 19.

[9] Initially fairly disorganized with little deep convection,[10] dry air in the mid- to-upper-levels of the atmosphere prevented immediate intensification.

[18] National Weather Service forecasters advised against swimming due to high seas and potential rip currents.

[26] While the center of Cristobal was more than a day away from the Canadian Maritimes, moisture extended ahead of the cyclone and became enhanced by a stalled frontal system.

[27] A sailor from Connecticut was rescued 250 km (160 mi) to the southeast of Halifax when his ship capsized in stormy seas.