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Hurricane Terms to Know
- Flash Flood Watch:
- A flash flood watch means a flash flood is possible in the area; stay alert.
- Flash Flood Warning:
- A flash flood warning means a flash flood is imminent; take immediate action.
- Gale Warnings:
- These warnings may be issued when winds of 39-54 miles an hour (34-47 knots) are expected.
- Hurricane:
- A hurricane is a serious tropical storms whose winds exceed 74 mph. The origins of a hurricane are found over the tropical and subtropical North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans, usually in the summer and early fall, where humidity and light wind allow the storms to form. Hurricanes center around an eye, where there is a clear sky and light winds. The storm itself can move at up to 50 mph, causing high waves and potentially inflicting serious damage when it strikes land. The storm is referred to as a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean and a typhoon in the Pacific Ocean.
- Hurricane Watch:
- A hurricane watch is issued for a coastal area when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.
- Hurricane Warning:
- A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. Hurricane conditions include winds of 74 miles an hour (64 knots) and/or dangerously high tides and waves. Actions for protection of life and property should begin immediately when the warning is issued.
- Small craft cautionary statements:
- When a tropical cyclone threatens a coastal area, small craft operators are advised to remain in port or not to venture into the open sea.
- Storm Warnings:
- These warnings may be issued when winds of 55-73 miles an hour (48-63 knots) are expected. If a hurricane is expected to strike a coastal area, gale or storm warnings will not usually precede hurricane warnings.
- Tropical cyclone:
- By international agreement, tropical cyclone is the general term for all cyclone circulations originating over tropical waters. These can be called hurricanes over the Atlantic Ocean, cyclones over the Indian Ocean and typhoons over the Pacific Ocean.
- Tropical depression:
- Rotary circulation at surface highest constant wind speed 38 miles per hour (33 knots).
- Tropical disturbance:
- A moving area of thunder storms in the Tropics that maintains its identity for 24-hours or more. A common phenomenon in the tropics.
- Tropical storm:
- Distinct rotary circulation, constant wind speed ranges 39-73 miles per hour (34-63 knots).
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