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Subject: A5) What is a tropical disturbance,
a tropical depression, or a tropical storm ?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
These are terms used to describe the progressive levels
of organized disturbed weather in the tropics that are of less
than hurricane status.
- Tropical Disturbance
A discrete tropical weather system of apparently organized convection -
generally 200 to 600 km (100 to 300 nmi) in diameter - originating in
the tropics or subtropics, having a nonfrontal migratory character,
and maintaining
its identity for 24 hours or more. It may or may not be associated
with a detectable perturbation of the wind field. Disturbances
associated with perturbations in the wind field and progressing
through the tropics from east to west are also known as
easterly waves .
- Tropical Depression
A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained
wind speed (using the U.S. 1 minute average standard) is 33 kt
(38 mph, 17 m/s). Depressions have a closed circulation.
- Tropical Storm
A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained
surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1 minute average standard)
ranges from 34 kt (39 mph,17.5 m/s) to 63 kt (73 mph, 32.5 m/s). The
convection in tropical storms is usually more concentrated near the
center with outer rainfall organizing into distinct bands.
- Hurricane
When winds in a tropical cyclone equal or exceed 64 kt (74 mph,
33 m/s) it is called a hurricane (in the Atlantic and eastern
and central Pacific Oceans). Hurricanes are further designated
by categories on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Hurricanes in categories 3, 4, 5 are known as
Major Hurricanes or Intense Hurricanes.
The wind speed mentioned here are for those measured or estimated
as the top speed sustained for one minute at 10 meters above the
surface. Peak gusts would be on the order of 10-25% higher.
Last updated January 30, 2006
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