Tropical Storm Delia originated from a tropical wave that formed over the central Caribbean Sea in late August 1973.
Tracking towards the west-northwest, convective activity increased and the overall structure of the system improved.
By August 31, a weak area of low pressure formed over the Gulf of Honduras.
This system tracked northward and further organized into a tropical depression just off the southeastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on September 1.
Gradually intensifying, the depression became a tropical storm on September 3 as it turned towards the west.
In accordance with its upgrade, it was given the name Delia.
This upgrade followed a reconnaissance mission into the system that found sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h).
A complex steering pattern formed later that day, resulting in a more hostile environment for the cyclone.

As Delia neared the Texas coastline, it managed to intensify into a strong tropical storm with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and reconnaissance reported winds well in excess of hurricane-force in numerous squalls associated with the storm.
The lowest pressure was recorded at 986 mbar (hPa; 29.11 inHg).
However, Delia was not classified a hurricane as it had not developed an eyewall around the center of circulation.
Delia subsequently made its first landfall at Freeport, Texas late on September 4.
After executing a counterclockwise loop, the storm made its second landfall in Freeport on September 5.
After moving inland, the storm quickly weakened, becoming a depression on September 6 before dissipating early the next day over northern Mexico.
Tropical Storm Delia originated from a tropical wave that formed over the central Caribbean Sea in late August 1973. Tracking towards the west-northwest, convective activity increased and the overall structure of the system improved. By August 31, a weak area of low pressure formed over the Gulf of Honduras. This system tracked northward and further organized into a tropical depression just off the southeastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on September 1. Gradually intensifying, the depression became a tropical storm on September 3 as it turned towards the west. In accordance with its upgrade, it was given the name Delia. This upgrade followed a reconnaissance mission into the system that found sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). A complex steering pattern formed later that day, resulting in a more hostile environment for the cyclone.
As Delia neared the Texas coastline, it managed to intensify into a strong tropical storm with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and reconnaissance reported winds well in excess of hurricane-force in numerous squalls associated with the storm. The lowest pressure was recorded at 986 mbar (hPa; 29.11 inHg). However, Delia was not classified a hurricane as it had not developed an eyewall around the center of circulation. Delia subsequently made its first landfall at Freeport, Texas late on September 4. After executing a counterclockwise loop, the storm made its second landfall in Freeport on September 5. After moving inland, the storm quickly weakened, becoming a depression on September 6 before dissipating early the next day over northern Mexico.
Tropical Storm Delia (1973)