Tropical cyclones with an organized system of clouds, and thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (61 km/h) or less, are called "tropical depressions". Once the tropical cyclone reaches winds of at least 39 mph (63 km/h), they are typically called a "tropical storm" and assigned a name.
If maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph (119 km/h), the cyclone is called:
- A hurricane in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Pacific Ocean east of the dateline, and the South Pacific Ocean east of 160°E. (The word "hurricane" comes from a Spanish adaptation of "Hurican", a god of storms from the indigenous Taino tribes of the Caribbean.)
- A typhoon in the Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline (super typhoon if the maximum sustained winds are at least 150 mph / 241 km/h).
- A severe tropical cyclone in the Southwest Pacific Ocean west of 160°E or Southeast Indian Ocean east of 90°E.
- A severe cyclonic storm in the North Indian Ocean.
- A tropical cyclone in the Southwest Indian Ocean.
Hurricanes are further classified according to their wind speed. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1-5 rating based on the hurricane's present intensity. This scale only addresses the wind speed and does not consider the potential for other hurricane-related impacts, such as storm surge, rainfall-induced floods, and tornadoes.
Category & Wind Speed | Damage |
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Category 5 ≥157 mph ≥137 kt ≥252 km/h Catastrophic damage will occur! |
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Category 4 130-156 mph 113-136 kt 209-251 km/h Catastrophic damage will occur! |
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Category 3 111-129 mph 96-112 kt 178-208 km/h Devastating damage will occur. |
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Category 2 96-110 mph 83-95 kt 154-177 km/h Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage. |
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Category 1 74-95 mph 64-82 kt 119-153 km/h Very dangerous winds will produce some damage. |
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