Meteorological history Hurricane Brenda (1973)

map plotting track , intensity of storm, according saffir–simpson scale

hurricane brenda originated tropical wave moved off western coast of africa on august 9; however, initial wave weakened upon entering atlantic ocean. august 13, wave began regenerate passed through lesser antilles, producing scattered shower , thunderstorm activity. several days later, convection associated system consolidated central, organized mass , on august 18, system had become sufficiently organized declared tropical depression. next day, depression strengthened tropical storm brenda following reports of gale-force winds ships in vicinity of storm. prior first landfall, brenda intensified, central barometric pressure decreasing 992 mbar (hpa; 29.29 inhg) , winds reached 65 mph (105 km/h). storm moved inland 30 mi (48 km) north of cozumel @ northern edge of yucatan peninsula on august 19.

roughly 24 hours after landfall, center of brenda passed directly on city of mérida, yucatán. time, strong ridge on southern texas , northern mexico caused storm take unusual southwest turn. later on august 20, center of brenda moved gulf of mexico, bay of campeche. once on water, brenda began intensify, attaining hurricane status later day. next day, well-defined eye had developed , storm attained peak intensity high-end category 1 hurricane winds of 90 mph (140 km/h) , minimum pressure of 977 mbar (hpa; 28.85 inhg). around time, tropical storm force winds extended out 150 mi (240 km) north , 75 mi (121 km) south. storm made landfall later day near ciudad del carmen, mexico @ intensity, becoming first hurricane strike region on record. after moving inland, brenda rapidly weakened depression morning of august 22 , dissipated later day.