Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale:

Hurricanes are categorized according to the strength of their winds using the Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale:

• Category 1:  Winds: 74-95 mph    Pressure:  >28.94    Storm Surge:4-5 feet
• Category 2:  Winds: 96-110 mph    Pressure:  28.50-28.91    Storm Surge:6-8 feet
• Category 3:  Winds: 111-130    Pressure:  27.91-28.47    Storm Surge:9-12 feet
• Category 4:  Winds: 131-155 mph    Pressure:   27.17-27.88    Storm Surge:13-18 feet
• Category 5:  Winds:  >155    Pressure:  <27.17    Storm Surge: 18 + feet

Hurricane Names:

Weather Definitions:

• Tropical Wave: A trough of low pressure in the trade-wind easterlies.
• Tropical Disturbance: A moving area of thunderstorms in the Tropics that maintains its identity for 24 hours or more. A common phenomenon.
• Tropical Depression: An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds* of 38 mph (33 kt**) or less
• Tropical Storm: An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 kt)
• Hurricane: An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or higher .
• Tropical Storm Watch: Issued for a coastal area when there is the threat of tropical storm conditions within 36 hours.
• Tropical Storm Warning: A warning for tropical storm conditions including sustained winds within the range of 39 to 73mph (34 to 63 knots) which are expected in a specified area within 24 hours.
• Hurricane Watch: An announcement that hurricane conditions pose a possible threat to a specified coastal area within 36 hours.
• Hurricane Warning: A warning that sustained winds of 74 mph(64kts) or higher are expected in a specified coastal area within 24 hours.
• Storm Surge: An abnormal rise of the sea along a shore as the result, primarily, of the winds of a storm.
• Flash Flood Watch: Means that flash flood conditions are possible within the designated watch area.
• Flash Flood Warning: Means a flash flood has been reported or is imminent.

* Sustained winds are defined as a 1-minute average wind measured at about 33 ft (10 meters) above the surface. ** 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour or 1.15 statute miles per hour. Abbreviated as "kt"