Initially a tropical depression, it headed westward without significant strengthening for four days due to unfavorable upper-level winds.

While nearing the Lesser Antilles upper-level winds decreased, allowing the depression to become Tropical Storm Hortense on September 7.

After re-entering the Atlantic, Hortense began to substantially strengthen and peaked as a 140 mph (220 km/h) Category 4 hurricane early on September 13.

In the Dominican Republic, strong winds damaged a number of buildings and houses, and downed several power lines.

Later in its duration, Hortense struck Nova Scotia, bringing heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds to isolated locations.

A tropical wave and a broad low-pressure area associated with it exited the west coast of Africa near Dakar, Senegal on August 30.

After crossing several National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration buoys early on September 3, it was determined that the system developed into Tropical Depression Eight at 1200 UTC on that same day, while located about halfway between Cape Verde and the Lesser Antilles.

While nearing the Leeward Islands, upper-level winds reduced to a favorable level, causing strengthening and allowing deep convection to increase.

Initially, most tropical cyclone forecast models anticipated Hortense would pass south of the island and instead strike the Dominican Republic.

Around that time, a developing trough centered over the Eastern United States caused the storm to curve almost due northward and accelerate.

At 0000 UTC on September 13, Hortense attained its peak intensity with a maximum sustained wind speed of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 935 mbar (27.6 inHg).

Early on September 15, Hortense made its final landfall near West Quoddy, Nova Scotia with winds of 75 mph (120 km/h).

[2] At the same time, a hurricane warning was left after having been issued for the British and United States Virgin Islands 12 hours earlier.

[2] Before Hortense struck Puerto Rico, the local National Weather Service office warned of the potential of rainfall exceeding 10 in (250 mm), with higher totals in the mountains.

[1] Late on September 9, a hurricane warning was issued for portions of eastern Dominican Republic, which was eventually extended along the country's northern coastline.

[10][11] Further south, heavy rains led to scattered flooding in Martinique,[12] which inundated streets, while strong winds knocked down power lines.

The rainfall caused widespread flash flooding and increased river discharge; a station along the Río Grande de Loíza in San Lorenzo reported a 1 in 100 year flow rate.

[15] Some 1,400,000 people, about 40% of the population, lost power during and after the storm, straining the cleanup effort in the following days and weeks with lack of air conditioning and spoiled food.

Like its effects in Puerto Rico, Hortense dropped heavy rainfall in the Dominican Republic, peaking at 19.25 in (489 mm) in San Rafael del Yuma.

The winds downed power lines, leaving numerous residents without electricity, especially in Charlottetown, East Point, Montague, Murray River, Souris.

Effects were almost nil in New Brunswick, limited to rainfall peaking at 2.1 inches (53 mm), though most of it was a storm system that preceded Hortense's passage.

On September 11, President Bill Clinton declared a major disaster in 68 of the 78 municipalities of Puerto Rico; this allowed federal funding for debris removal, repairing public roads and buildings and assistance to individually affected residents.

[21] Because of the damage caused by the hurricane, the name Hortense was retired in the spring of 1997 by the World Meteorological Organization, and will not be used again for another North Atlantic tropical cyclone.