What Is A Hurricane: FL Weather Terms To Know

FLORIDA — If this is your first hurricane season in Florida, you might not know the difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane, which range from category 1 to 5 in strength.

The National Hurricane Center defines the type of weather disturbance by the strength of its wind speed. A tropical depression is a storm with a wind speed of 38 mph. A tropical storm has wind speeds of 39 to 73 mph.

A hurricane is a storm with sustained wind speed of at least 74 miles per hour.

The National Hurricane Center uses the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage.

Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher — which NHC forecasters on Tuesday said is likely for Helene, which is expected to be a Category 3 when it hits the Florida Panhandle or Big Bend area — are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage.

• Related: Tropical Storm Helene Aims For Gulf, 61 FL Counties Under Emergency

Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous, however, and require preventative measures.

Measuring Hurricane Winds On Saffir-Simpson Scale

Category 1: Sustained winds of 74-95 mph. “Very dangerous winds will produce some damage.” A Category 1 hurricane could destroy older mobile homes and damage newer ones and poorly built houses. Well-built homes could have damage to shingles, siding, gutters and soffit panels.

Category 2: Sustained winds of 96-110 mph. “Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage.”“Substantial risk of injury or death to people, livestock and pets.” Mobile homes built before 1994 will probably be destroyed, as will some newer ones, and some poorly built homes. Near total power loss expected.

Category 3: Sustained winds of 111-129 mph. “Devastating damage will occur.” Poorly built frame homes will be wrecked. Unprotected windows will be broken by flying debris. Well-built homes will be damaged, older metal buildings will fail.

Category 4: Sustained winds of 130-156 mph. “Catastrophic damage will occur.”Well-built homes will lose or suffer damage to most of their roofs and exterior walls. Top floors of apartment buildings will be damaged, and fallen trees and wires will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks or months, and most of the area will be uninhabitable.

Category 5: Sustained winds greater than 157 mph. A high percentage of frame homes will be destroyed with total roof failure and wall collapse. Nearly all trees will be snapped or uprooted. Power outages will last for weeks or months, and most of the area will be uninhabitable.

More Weather Terms To Know

Storm surge: A hurricane can produce destructive storm surge, which is water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to inundate normally dry land in feet of water. The stronger the storm, the higher the storm surge.

2024 Hurricane Season Forecast

A lull in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season marked the start of the season as AccuWeather forecasters reduced the forecast earlier this month for the number of named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes this year.

There was limited tropical activity in the Atlantic basin during an “unusual August,” AccuWeathe said in a news release.

It was also the first Labor Day weekend without a named storm in decades. The last time there was not a tropical storm in the Atlantic basin between Aug. 21 to Sept. 2 was in 1997.

There are now 16 to 20 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes, and three to six major hurricanes forecast this season, as well as four to six direct impacts to the United States, the company said.

Anywhere from 17 to 24 named storms with winds 39 mph or greater are forecast during what is expected to be a “highly active” Atlantic hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its mid-season hurricane outlook update Aug. 7.

The season began June 1 and season ends Nov. 30, although forecasters say tropical threats could extend into December because of warm water temperatures.