The season officially lasted from June 16 to October 31, which was, at the time, considered the most likely period for tropical cyclone formation in the Atlantic Ocean.

[1][nb 1] A total of ten storms from 1943 are listed in the Atlantic hurricane database, and an eleventh system that affected Florida and Georgia has been identified as a probable tropical depression.

In mid-October, a strong hurricane resulted in flooding and damage to crops throughout the Caribbean; after becoming post-tropical, it contributed to moderate impacts across Nova Scotia.

It tracked west-northwest and, in conjunction with surface observations along the Louisiana coastline,[7] was found to have organized into a tropical storm by 18:00 UTC on July 25 while situated about 110 mi (175 km) southeast of the Mississippi Delta.

The compact hurricane moved ashore the coastline of Texas near Galveston Bay at 18:00 UTC on July 27,[8] around which time it was intercepted by the first reconnaissance aircraft to intentionally fly into a tropical cyclone.

[8] In the fray of World War II, information was censored by the Federal government of the United States across the country, including reports from ships that the Weather Bureau heavily relied upon for hurricane updates.

Along the coastline near Texas City, storm surge values were surprisingly light at between 3–6 ft (0.9–1.8 m), but 90% of homes either suffered water damage or were completely destroyed.

At Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, scores of air cadets and soldiers held onto the wings of airplanes to prevent them from going airborne; almost two dozen were injured in the aftermath.

[8] In the wake of the 1943 Surprise hurricane, this was the first tropical cyclone that reconnaissance aircraft flew through and had observations reported back to the Weather Bureau during real-time operations.

It curved northeast after passing within 165 mi (265 km) of Bermuda,[8] where winds peaked at 81 mph (130 km/h),[10] interacting with a high-latitude cyclone to become extratropical by 00:00 UTC on August 26.

After passing within 120 mi (195 km) of Bermuda,[8] delivering a period of tropical storm-force winds to the island,[10] the hurricane was directed north and then northeast by a developing area of high pressure.

[7] It brushed Nova Scotia before moving ashore the southern coastline of Newfoundland, ultimately transitioning into an extratropical cyclone by 00:00 UTC on September 10.

The cyclone lost tropical characteristics by 12:00 UTC on September 15 while positioned about 95 mi (155 km) south-southeast of Nantucket and subsequently tracked across Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

It became evident in surface maps three days later, marking the formation of a tropical storm by 18:00 UTC about 270 mi (435 km) southeast of Matamoros, Tamaulipas.

Passing within 180 mi (290 km) of Bermuda, it produced winds around tropical storm-force there before it was last documented over the northwestern Atlantic early on October 17.

The combination of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and high seas resulted in severe damage to the island's coffee crop.

[12] As a post-tropical cyclone, the system produced winds near 70 mph (110 km/h) across Nova Scotia, cut electricity to Liverpool and Annapolis Valley (where the apple crop sustained $300,000 in losses), and disrupted telephone service in Halifax.

The system moved west for several days and passed through the Belize Barrier Reef before executing a sharp eastward turn early on October 24, causing only delayed shipping and aviation schedules,[14] as well as peak winds of 35 mph (56 km/h) in the Swan Islands.

[10] From there, it maintained its status as a weak storm before transitioning into a post-tropical cyclone about 130 mi (215 km) southwest of the Cayman Islands by 06:00 UTC on October 26.