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National Hurricane Preparedness Week begins today with a focus on hurricane basics.
There are four classifications of tropical cyclones.
A tropical depression is a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or
less. A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone with
maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph. A hurricane is a tropical cyclone with maximum
sustained winds of 74 mph or higher. A major hurricane is a tropical cyclone with
maximum sustained winds of 111 mph or higher.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a one-to-five tier rating scale based on the
sustained wind speed of a hurricane. The scale estimates potential property damage.
Hurricanes reaching category three or higher are considered major hurricanes because of
their potential to lead to significant loss of life and damage.
Be that as it may, category one and two hurricanes are dangerous and require protective measures.
From 1966 to 2012, the Atlantic Basin averaged 12 tropical storms per year, six of which
strengthened into hurricanes, three of which intensified into major hurricanes.
Over a typical two year period, the United States coastline is usually struck by three
hurricanes, one of which is a major hurricane.
The Atlantic Basin hurricane season begins on June 1st and ends on November 30th.
The peak of Atlantic Basin hurricane season occurs from the middle of August to late October.
National Hurricane Preparedness Week continues Monday with a focus on storm surge.
For more information, please visit the Florida Keys National Weather Service Internet site
at: www.weather.gov/keywest.