Hurricane Knowledge

Terms

Knowing hurricane terminology can help you with your plans.

Here is some vital terms to know:

Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical storm conditions are possible in the area.

Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the area.

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are possible in the area. Watches are issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds.

Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in the area. Warnings are issued 36 hours in advance of tropical storm force winds.

Eye: Clear, sometimes well-defined center of the storm with calmer conditions.

Eye Wall: Surrounding the eye, contains some of the most severe weather of the storm with the highest wind speed and largest precipitation.

Rain Bands: Bands coming off the cyclone that produce severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, wind and tornadoes.

Storm Surge: An often underestimated and deadly result of ocean water swelling as a result of a land falling storm, and quickly flooding coastal and sometimes areas further inland.

Winds

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Cat 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage.

Terms – Miles Per Hour

Tropical Depression – 38mph

Tropical Strom – 39-73mph

Cat 1 Hurricane – 74-95mph

Cat 2 Hurricane – 96-110mph

Cat 3 Hurricane (Major) – 111-129mph

Cat 4 Hurricane (Major) 130-156mph

Cat 5 Hurricane (Major) 157+mph

Sources: stateofflorida.com and National Hurricane Center