Hurricane Hilda - Meteorological History

Meteorological History

Hilda originated from a slow-moving easterly wave that was moving westward through the Caribbean Sea. On the morning of September 28, a weak cyclonic circulation formed just off of Cuba and intensified as it moved westward. It became a storm after passing the western tip of Cuba.

Hilda moved at about 9 mph (14 km/h) and entered the Gulf of Mexico, intensifying steadily. The storm reached hurricane status, reaching its peak intensity on October 1 of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimal pressure of 941 mbar (27.8 inHg). Hilda turned northward on October 1 at an average speed of 6 mph (10 km/h) for two days. Hilda made landfall in the central Louisiana coast on the evening of October 3. A decrease in intensity had occurred the day prior to landfall, but Hilda was still a major hurricane when it reached the Gulf Coast. After the eye moved inland, Hilda weakened rapidly, moving towards Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The storm was forced eastward due to cold air and strong pressure rises.

Soon after the eastward turn, Hilda fell to tropical storm status and continued to weaken as cold air continued to enter the storm. Hilda became an extratropical low on October 5 over Mississippi. The low passed over Jacksonville, Florida and entered the Atlantic Ocean.