Let’s take a look at the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines a hurricane as “an intense tropical weather system with a well-defined circulation and sustained winds of 74 miles per hour (64 knots) or greater.” In the western North Pacific, hurricanes are called typhoons, and similar storms in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific are called cyclones.
Peak activity during the Atlantic season is from mid-August to mid-October.
Hurricanes are rated according to their intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
A scale of 1 to 5 estimates the potential property damage due to maximum sustained wind speed.
Category 3 and above are considered major hurricanes.
A hurricane watch indicates the likelihood of hurricane conditions occurring in the area within 48 hours.
A hurricane warning indicates that tropical storm force winds of at least 114 mph are expected within 36 hours.
There are four stages of development: tropical disturbance, tropical cyclone, tropical cyclone, and hurricane (tropical cyclone).
Tropical disturbance: A column of clouds develops into a cluster of thunderstorms.
Tropical Cyclone: Intensifying thunderstorms with maximum wind speeds of 38 mph or less.
Tropical Cyclone: Maximum sustained wind speeds of 39 to 73 miles per hour. During this period, the storm’s shape becomes more circular, with the winds swirling around a calm center called the “eye.” This is when the storm is given a name.
Hurricane: Wind speeds reach maximum sustained winds of 114 mph.
Winds 74 to 95 mph.
Storm surge is 3 to 5 feet.
There is no major damage to the building. They primarily damage unanchored homes, shrubbery, and trees.
There are also cases of damage such as inadequate signage and flooding of roads along the coast.
Damage to power lines or poles can cause power outages that last from several days to several days.
Winds 96 to 110 mph.
Storm surge is 6 to 8 feet.
Damage occurred to the building, mainly to the roof, doors, and windows. Severe damage to shrubbery and trees. Severe damage to the trailer house. Extensive damage occurred to the poorly constructed signage, and considerable damage also occurred to the bridge piers.
Small vessels in unprotected anchorages can destroy moorings.
Power outages can last from days to weeks.
Winds 111 to 130 mph.
Storm surge is 9 to 12 feet.
Some structural damage to minor buildings. Many large trees fell down. Destruction of mobile homes due to storms is rampant and is ranked as Category 3 or above. Severe coastal flooding, damaging or destroying structures along the water.
Evacuation of low-lying residences within several blocks of the shoreline may be necessary.
Electricity and water may be unavailable for days or weeks.
Winds 131 to 155 mph.
Storm surge will be 13 to 18 feet.
Extensive building damage. Shrubs, trees and signs are blown away. Flooding, crashing waves, and floating debris caused extensive damage to the lower floors of buildings near the coast. Massive coastal erosion.
Power outages can last weeks or even months. Areas may become uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Winds over 155 mph.
Storm surge will exceed 18 feet.
The roofs of many residential and industrial buildings were completely damaged. Extensive destruction of structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore. Three to five hours before the hurricane’s center arrives, low-lying evacuation routes are blocked by rising waters.
Low-lying residential areas within 5 to 16 miles of the coastline may require advance evacuation.
Power outages could last several months. The area could remain uninhabitable for months.
There is a list of 10 region names from around the world: Atlantic Ocean, Eastern North Pacific, Central North Pacific, Western North Pacific/South China Sea, Australian Region, Nadi, Port Moresby, Jakarta, Southwest India, and Northern Indian Ocean.
The use of female names for Atlantic storms was customary until 1979, when male names were added.
The World Meteorological Organization’s Hurricane Committee creates a list of hurricane names that is reused every six years.
Names associated with storms that caused significant casualties or damage will be removed from the list. After the 2025 season, the name Melissa was retired. Other names removed include Camille (1969), Andrew (1992), Floyd (1999), Katrina (2005), Ike (2008), Sandy (2012), Maria and Harvey (2017), Ian (2022), and Helen (2024). If a name is deleted, another name will replace it.
