1943 Atlantic hurricane season
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 Season summary map |
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| First storm formed: | July 25, 1943 |
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| Last storm dissipated: | Oct. 23, 1943 |
| Strongest storm: | #3 - 120 knots (140 mph) |
| Total storms: | 10 |
| Major storms (Cat. 3+): | 2 |
| Total damage: | $17.2 million (1943 USD) |
| Total fatalities: | 19 |
| Atlantic hurricane seasons 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945 |
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The 1943 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1943, and lasted until November 30, 1943. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin.
The 1943 hurricane season was fairly quiet but was significant for one event: the Surprise Hurricane in July was the first tropical cyclone to be investigated by airplane. Two more flights were made during August into a stronger hurricane, in the central Atlantic. These early flights paved the way for the Hurricane Hunters we know today.
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[edit] Storms
Only storms that affected land or are notable in some way are mentioned here.
[edit] Hurricane One
- Main article: 1943 Surprise Hurricane
In late July, the first intentional flight into a hurricane was flown into what became known as the Surprise Hurricane. It was conducted by an Army Air Corps (now the United States Air Force) aircraft. Valuable information was gathered about hurricanes and hurricane structure.
[edit] Hurricane Three
On August 19, a tropical storm was first observed east of the Lesser Antilles. It headed northwestward, strengthening to a hurricane on the 20th but remaining far enough away to cause any damage. The hurricane peaked at 140 mph winds, and passed 100 miles west of Bermuda on the 25th. Without causing much damage, the hurricane turned northeastward, and became extratropical on the 26th over the North Atlantic.
[edit] Hurricane Six
A tropical storm developed in the western Gulf of Mexico on September 15. It moved to the northwest and became a hurricane early the next day. A ridge of high pressure to the north forced the hurricane southward, where it attained a peak of 95 mph winds on the 17th. It rapidly weakened as it drifted northeastward, and hit southern Louisiana on the 20th as a tropical depression. It dissipated shortly thereafter, after causing $195,000 (1943 dollars) in damage, mostly from flooding.
[edit] Tropical Storm Seven
A tropical wave formed into a tropical storm on September 28, south-southwest of Bermuda. It headed northwestward, reaching a peak of 60 mph winds the next day. The storm hit the Delmarva Peninsula on the 1st, and dissipated later that day. Tropical Storm Seven was responsible for sinking one small boat and causing $20,000 in damage (1943 dollars).
[edit] Hurricane Nine
On October 11, a tropical storm was first detected over the Lesser Antilles. It moved westward, reaching hurricane strength the next day. The hurricane turned northward and moved through the Mona Passage on the 15th. Later that day, the hurricane reached a peak of 85 mph winds, and steadily weakened as it moved northward across the western Atlantic. The hurricane became extratropical on the 17th, and moved inland near the Maine/New Brunswick border later that day.
