Hurricanes

Common Terms

• Tropical Disturbance: an area of disturbed weather in the tropics that has the potential of storm development.
• Tropical Depression: a closed low pressure circulation at the surface in the tropics with winds up to 39 miles per hour (mph).
• Tropical Storm: a closed low pressure circulation at the surface in the tropics with winds 39 to 73 mph.
• Hurricane: a closed low pressure circulation in the tropics with winds in excess of 74 mph.
• Small Craft Advisory: when issued in conjunction with possible hurricane conditions for this area, advised small craft operators to take precautions and not to venture into the open gulf.
• Gale Warning: when winds of 38 to 55 mph are expected.
• Storm Warning: when winds of 55 to 74 mph are expected. Normally, not used in the Gulf or this area; usually hurricane warnings follow gale warnings.
• Hurricane Watch: hurricane may threaten this area within 24 to 36 hours.
• Hurricane Warning: hurricane force winds or high tides and seas are expected to strike this area within 24 hours.