Tropical cyclones with an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation, and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (61 kph) or less are called “tropical depressions”. Once the tropical cyclone reaches winds of at least 39 mph (63 kph) they are typically called a “tropical storm” and assigned a name.

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 the Carib Indians of the West Indies, who called this storm a hurricane. Supposedly, the ancient Tainos tribe of Central America called their god of evil “Hurricane”. Spanish colonists modified the word to hurricane.),

A typhoon in the Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline (super typhoon if the maximum sustained winds are at least 150 mph / 241 kph),

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, and Just a tropical cyclone in the Southwest Indian Ocean.

Hurricanes are further classified according to their wind speed. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1-5 rating based on the hurricane’s present intensity. This is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall.

Wind speed is the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf in the landfall region. Note: all winds are using the U.S. 1-minute average.