The 1973 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season was exactly 50 years ago. In my opinion this was one of the strangest hurricane seasons in the modern era 1950-Present. I will be explaining why this season was so strange.

In 1973 the Average Hurricane Season had 9-10 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes (categories 3,4 and 5). Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th. The 1973 season had 8 named storms, 4 becoming hurricanes and 1 became a major hurricane.

1973 was a transition year. The El Nino of 1972 faded in Spring of 1973. By the time August, September, and October rolled around a La Nina had developed. August, September, and October are the peak months of the hurricane season. A La Nina developing around this time would favor above average activity. Despite La Nina conditions the 1973 season was below average, a rarity during a La Nina. This La Nina would last 2.5 years. The 1974 and 1975 seasons had average activity and were influenced by the same La Nina.

Why were there not many storms during a La Nina Year? One reason is there was negative Atlantic Osculation. The first and second active phases in the Atlantic had positive ASO. 1925-1969 is the first active phase. The second active phase 1995-Present. Negative ASO caused cooler waters, drier air, and increased wind shear. On the other hand, a La Nina should have been able to overcome negative ASO. The 1974 and 1975 seasons overcame the negative ASO and produced average activity.

For most of the season there was lots of Sahara Dust. Sahara Dust is common in June and July but it lasted longer in 1973 going into the peak months. The Sahara dust causes dry air which storms have a hard time developing. Moreover, the high pressure was higher positioned. This meant would be developing systems would be pulled over cooler waters instead of the warmer waters. These are the reasons this season was below average despite a La Nina developing.

Here are the named storms of the 1973 season.

Hurricane Alice-Alice developed over the gulf stream and peaked as a high end category 1 hurricane. Eventually Alice made landfall in Canada as a weak tropical storm. No major impacts occurred.

Subtropical Storm Alfa- Alfa formed over the Gulf Stream and got close to the New England states. Alfa's main impact was heavy rain.

Hurricane Brenda- Brenda was one of the storms that caused impacts. Brenda formed in the Caribbean and made landfall in Mexico as a high end category 1 hurricane. Brenda caused mudslides and severe flooding. Overall, Brenda caused 10 deaths.

Tropical Storm Christine- Christine was a long lived tropical storm that formed in the far Atlantic. Christine just missed becoming a hurricane. The storm caused 1 death due to rip currents in the Antilles.

Tropical Storm Delia- Delia formed in the Gulf of Mexico and peaked as a strong tropical storm just under Hurricane Status. Delia made landfall in Texas causing 5 deaths and $6 million in damages from flooding.

*Hurricane Ellen- Ellen developed in the far Atlantic and intensified into a category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph. Thus, Ellen was the strongest storm of the 1973 season. Ellen did not impact any land.

Hurricane Fran- Fran formed in the North Central Atlantic over the Gulf Stream peaking as a category 1 hurricane. Fran did not impact any land.

Tropical Storm Gilda- Gilda formed in the Caribbean and made landfall in Cuba as a strong tropical storm. In Cuba Gilda caused 6 deaths by severe flooding. After impacting Cuba Gilda stayed out to sea.

In conclusion the 1973 was one of the strangest hurricane seasons. It is one of the few seasons to have below average activity during a developing La Nina in the hurricane season. As I stated the 1974 and 1975 seasons were under the influence of the same La Nina and had average activity. There was another season that had below average activity during a developing La Nina. However, in that season the La Nina developed in December when the hurricane season was other with. In the modern era 1950-Present this is the only below average season during a La Nina during the hurricane season.

wasn't this the year they started naming the hurricanes? (even though Hazel existed before that)

She don’t do her research and just be posting. 1950s is when they started getting names and 1979 is when they made it men and women names.

By reading the post, I’m assuming with the hurricane season the “El Nino” and “La Nina” are the names of the June 1st - November 30th season or something different since you did say La Niña lasted for 2.5 years? I mean I’m not one to know but I’m just curious so I can have a better understanding. Especially with the Sahara Dust, how does the dust travel for thousands of miles without dispersing? I mean it’s an interesting read, knowing that Hurricane Ellen didn’t do much damage (if any) yet a tropical storm caused $6 million worth of damage? That’s kinda crazy.

Not much into weather but I’ve always been fascinated with history and honestly enjoyed this reading of the season and actually looking up more information about the tropical storm year.

Tropical Storms and Hurricanes started to be named in 1950. From 1953-1978 the rotating naming list only included female names. After the 1978 season 6 new lists that included both male and female names were included. Since 1979 the lists are used every 6 years. If a storm is destructive and the impacted area requests the storm's name is retired and replaced.

Saharan Dust: Is dust that the trade winds blow across the Atlantic. The Jet stream and winds can carry the dust all the way to the United States. When the monsoon season starts the winds stop blowing the dust across the Atlantic. Dust causes very dry air and that is why tropical systems cannot get going.

Tropical Systems need warm waters 80 degrees or above (27 Celsius plus), moist air and no shearing winds to develop.

Yes La Nina and El Nino are conditions that occur in the Equatorial Pacific. The 1973 La Nina lasted 2.5 years. Yes I included what the conditions were during the hurricane season.

In terms of cost the 1973 season was calm. The 1974 and 1975 seasons were a different story. Thousands of people perished and Billions of dollars worth of damage was done.