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Click
here to see a Flash animation of the
Saffir-Simson Hurricane Scale.
IMPORTANT
TERMS TO KNOW
| 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 |
| TROPICAL
DEPRESSION |
A
tropical cyclone in which the maximum wind speed is 38 mph
or less |
| TROPICAL
STORM |
A
tropical cyclone in which the maximum surface wind ranges
from 39 to 74 mph |
| HURRICANE |
A
tropical cyclone in which maximum sustained surface wind
is 74 miles per hour or more |
| SMALL
CRAFT ADVISORY |
Small
craft operators are advised to remain in port or not to
venture into the open sea |
| TROPICAL
STORM WATCH |
Issued
for coastal areas when there is the threat of tropical
storm conditions within 36 hours |
| TROPICAL
STORM WARNING |
A
warning for tropical storm conditions expected in a
specified coastal area within 24 hours or less |
| 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 or higher are
expected in a specified coastal area within 24 hours or
less |
| STORM
SURGE |
An
abnormal rise of the sea along a shore as the result of
the winds of a storm |
| FLASH
FLOOD WATCH |
Flash
flood conditions are possible within the designated watch
area - be alert |
| FLASH
FLOOD WARNING |
A
flash flood has been reported or is imminent - take
immediate action |
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