Storms are classified by their maximum wind speed and according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) a hurricane is “a tropical cyclone where maximum sustained surface winds reach 74 mph (119 km/h or 64 knots) or more.”1NOAA National Hurricane Center, "Glossary of NHC Terms," nhc.noaa.gov, accessed September 2026. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutgloss.shtml Winds less than 39 mph are classified as tropical depressions and for wind speeds 39-73 mph tropical storms.
What is the difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane?
G.R.C.
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A tropical cyclone is a hurricane once sustained winds reach 74 mph, and a tropical storm at 39 to 73 mph.
Answer
Markets on this subject: Hurricanes