[STORMWATCH 2005 TROPICAL GLOSSARY]

 

(Courtesy: National Hurricane Center, Miami, FL)

 

 

 

 

• Tropical Depression: An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less.

 

 

 

• Tropical Storm: An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph.

 

 

 

• Hurricane: An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or higher.

  • A generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics.  It is often accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth's surface.

 

 

 

• Names for Hurricanes for 2005 Season: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Dennis, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harvey, Irene, Jose, Katrina, Lee, Maria, Nate, Ophelia, Philippe, Rita, Stan, Tammy, Vince, Wilma (use Greek Alphabet: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, etc.)

  • Names alternate between male and female names

  • Names are recycled every 6 years unless retired due to substantial damage or death or for other special circumstances

  • Naming process adopted by an international committee in 1979

 

 

 

• Storm Surge:  Water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm.

 

 

 

• Tornado:  Rotating, funnel-shaped clouds that appear from thunderstorms.

  • Tornado winds can reach 300 miles per hour. 

  • Tornadoes are most likely to occur in the right-front quadrant of the hurricane (North and East of the center location of storm).  However, they are also often found elsewhere embedded in feeder bands, well away from the center of the hurricane.

 

 

 

• Tropical Storm Watch: Issued for specified coastal areas that are expecting Tropical Storm Conditions within 36 Hours of its issuance.

 

 

 

• Tropical Storm Warning: Issued for specified coastal areas that are expecting 39-73 mph sustained winds associated with a tropical cyclone within 24 hours or less.

 

 

 

• Hurricane Watch: Issued for specified coastal areas that hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours.

 

 

 

• Hurricane Warning: Issued for a specified coastal area that is expecting sustained winds of at least 74 mph or higher in 24 hours or less. A hurricane warning can also be issued when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less 74 mph.

 

 

 

• Names for Hurricanes for 2006 Season: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty Rafael, Sandy, Tony, Valerie, William

 

 

 

• Names for Hurricanes for 2007 Season: Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dean, Erin, Felix, Gabrielle, Humberto, Ingrid, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Noel, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, Wendy

 

 

 

• Names for Hurricanes for 2008 Season: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, Ike, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paloma, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, Wilfred

 

 

 

• Names for Hurricanes for 2009 Season: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, Wanda

 

 

 

• Names for Hurricanes for 2010 Season: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie, Walter