Hurricane Preparedness

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Hurricanes and related storms

Hurricane season is from June through November, when the Atlantic Ocean's waters are warm enough to produce a tropical cyclone, a broad term that includes hurricanes, tropical depressions and tropical storms. The three types of cyclones differ in their sustained wind speed — the one-minute average wind speed measured at 10 metres above the surface. All three have winds that move in a circle around a calm center, or eye. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winds circle counterclockwise; in the Southern Hemisphere, they move clockwise.

• A hurricane is an intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with maximum sustained winds of at least 118.5 kph (64 knots).
• A tropical storm is an organized system of strong thunderstorms with maximum sustained winds of 63 kph to 117 kph (34 to 63 knots).
• A tropical depression is an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with maximum sustained winds of 61 kph (33 knots) or less.
• A storm surge is a dome of water pushed onshore by high winds. Storm surges can reach 8 metres high and be from 80 km to 1,600 km wide. A storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property along the immediate coast.
• A storm tide is a combination of a storm surge and the normal tide. For example, a 5-metre storm surge combined with a 1-metre normal high tide creates a 6-metre storm tide.

Hurricane ratings

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale rates hurricanes by their sustained wind speed, on a scale of 1 through 5. This scale was developed in the 1970s to help scientists communicate storm risk more effectively to the public. Don't ignore the risks of any oncoming storm, regardless of category. The simplified scale only considers wind speed, not other damaging and deadly threats like storm surge, rainfall rates and tornadoes. Even a storm with moderate winds can cause significant damage, including flooding.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale