People, livestock, and pets struck by flying or falling debris could be injured or killed. Very dangerous winds will produce some damage

Category One Hurricane (Sustained winds 74-95 mph ).

This classification scheme can be used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane. This scale ranges from category 1 (weakest) to category 5 (strongest). Hurricanes are rated using the Saffir Simpson Scale. A new HLS is released to the public approximately one hour after each hurricane/tropical storm advisory is sent by the National Hurricane Center in Miami, FL. Examples of some information may be: Onset time of tropical storm/hurricane force winds, amount of rainfall expected, storm surge values, evacuation orders/road closures/shelters, and any other information that would help to reduce the loss of life and property.

Hurricane Local Statement (HLS): Issued to the public by local NWS offices to provide more specific information about how a tropical storm or hurricane will affect a particular NWS office's county warning area (CWA).Hurricane Local Statement (Issued Locally) Tropical Storm Watch: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.Tropical Storm Warning: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. Hurricane Watch: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified coastal area.Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. Hurricane Warning: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area.Watches/Warnings (Issued by: National Hurricane Center) (Storm Tide = Storm Surge + Astronomical Tide) Storm Tide: The actual level of the sea which results from the astronomical tide combined with the storm surge.The height of the surge is computed by subtracting the 'normal' astronomical tide from the observed level of the sea (storm tide). Storm Surge: An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a tropical cyclone or other intense storm.'Typhoon' is the term used for hurricane-strength tropical cyclones in the western Pacific Ocean. Hurricane/Typhoon: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum one-minute sustained surface wind is 74 mph (64 kts) or greater.Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum one-minute sustained surface wind ranges from 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 kts) inclusive.Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum one-minute sustained surface wind is 38 mph (33 kts) or less.Tropical Cyclone: A generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale cyclone originating over tropical or subtropical waters with organized convection and a definite cyclonic (counter-clockwise) surface wind circulation.Of these five, two will be major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Scale).

However, about five hurricanes strike somewhere along the United States coastline every three years. Usually, most hurricanes remain out over the open ocean, causing problems mainly to shipping. However, tropical systems have been known to develop outside of this time frame, but it is relatively rare.Įach year on average, the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico will see about 10 named storms (including hurricanes and tropical storms), six of which will be hurricanes. These dates were chosen from climatological records, which show that the majority of tropical storms and hurricanes occur during this six month period, with a peak in activity from about mid August to mid October. The official Atlantic Basin (including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico) Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30.

Tampa area weather radar