Hurricane Terms

Here are some common hurricane-related terms used by weathercasters and forecasters. Hurricane season runs from June through November.

• Tropical Disturbance: An area of thunderstorms in the tropics that maintain its identity for at least 24 hours. A very common phenomenon in the tropics.

• Tropical Depression: An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained surface winds of 38 mph or less.

• Tropical Storm: An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained surface winds of 39 to 73 mph.

• Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical storm conditions are POSSIBLE in the specified area of the watch, usually within 36 hours.

• Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical storm conditions are EXPECTED in the specified area of the warning, usually within 24 hours.

• Hurricane: An intense tropical system with a well-defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or greater.

• Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are POSSIBLE in the specified area of the Watch, usually within 36 hours.

• Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are EXPECTED in the specified area of the Warning, usually within 24 hours.

• Small Craft Advisory: When a hurricane moves within a few hundred miles of the coast, small-craft owners should not venture out into the open ocean.