1973 Atlantic hurricane season Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
1973 Atlantic hurricane season

Season summary map
First storm formed	July 1, 1973
Last storm dissipated	October 27, 1973
Strongest storm	Ellen – 962 mbar (hPa) (28.42 inHg), 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
Total depressions	24
Total storms	9
Hurricanes	4
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+)	1
Total fatalities	16
Total damage	$18 million (1973 USD)
Atlantic hurricane seasons 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975

The 1973 Atlantic hurricane season was a time when tropical storms and hurricanes formed in the Atlantic Ocean. This season officially started on June 1, 1973, and ended on November 30, 1973. These dates are chosen because most storms happen during this period. However, some storms can form outside these dates. In 1973, there might have been up to four tropical depressions even before June 1.

Even though there were no super famous or very destructive hurricanes this year, it was still an active season. Scientists and weather experts carefully watched these storms to understand them better and warn people.

Understanding the 1973 Storms
How Storms Get Their Names
Related pages
Images for kids
See also

Understanding the 1973 Storms

During the 1973 Atlantic hurricane season, several types of storms formed. These included tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes. Each type of storm has different wind speeds and strength.

What is a Tropical Depression?

A tropical depression is the weakest type of tropical cyclone. It has organized clouds and thunderstorms. The winds in a tropical depression are less than 39 miles per hour (63 km/h). These storms are often the first stage before a stronger storm forms.

What is a Tropical Storm?

When a tropical depression gets stronger, it can become a tropical storm. Tropical storms have winds between 39 mph (63 km/h) and 73 mph (118 km/h). At this stage, the storm is given a name.

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is the strongest type of tropical cyclone. It forms over warm ocean waters. For a storm to be called a hurricane, its winds must reach 74 mph (119 km/h) or higher. Hurricanes are categorized by their wind speed, from Category 1 to Category 5.

Named Storms of 1973

Here are the names of the storms that formed in 1973:

Hurricane Alice
Subtropical Storm Alfa
Hurricane Brenda
Tropical Storm Christine
Tropical Storm Delia
Hurricane Ellen
Hurricane Fran
Tropical Storm Gilda

How Storms Get Their Names

Tropical storms and hurricanes are given names to make them easier to identify. This helps people track them and share information. The names are chosen from a list prepared before each hurricane season.

Naming Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

For the 1973 season, names were chosen from a list that included:

Alice
Brenda
Christine
Delia
Ellen
Fran
Gilda
Helen (unused)
Imogene (unused)
Joy (unused)
Kate (unused)
Loretta (unused)
Madge (unused)
Nancy (unused)
Ona (unused)
Patsy (unused)
Rose (unused)
Sally (unused)
Tam (unused)
Vera (unused)
Wilda (unused)

The names marked with "... (unused)" were not used because those storms did not form or did not reach tropical storm strength.

Naming Subtropical Storms

Subtropical storms are a bit different from tropical storms. They have characteristics of both tropical and non-tropical storms. In 1973, subtropical storms also had their own list of names:

Alfa
Bravo
Charlie (unused)
Delta (unused)
Echo (unused)
Foxtrot (unused)
Golf (unused)
Hotel (unused)
India (unused)
Juliet (unused)
Kilo (unused)
Lima (unused)
Mike (unused)
November (unused)
Oscar (unused)
Papa (unused)
Quebec (unused)
Romeo (unused)
Sierra (unused)
Tango (unused)
Uniform (unused)
Victor (unused)
Whiskey (unused)
X-Ray (unused)
Yankee (unused)
Zulu (unused)

No Names Retired in 1973

Sometimes, if a hurricane causes a lot of damage or deaths, its name is "retired." This means the name will not be used again for future storms. This is done out of respect for the victims and to avoid using a name associated with a disaster. No names were retired after the 1973 season.

List of Atlantic hurricanes
List of Atlantic hurricane seasons

Images for kids

Rainfall from Tropical Storm Delia in the United States
Hurricane Ellen of 1973 was photographed from orbit by astronauts aboard the Skylab space station.
Tracks of all depressions during 1973