Glossary

Hurricane & Storm Glossary

A

Advisory – Official information released by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) about a storm’s location, intensity, and forecast.
Air Pressure – The force exerted by the atmosphere; lower air pressure signals stronger storms.
Anemometer – An instrument used to measure wind speed.
Artificial Barriers – Man-made structures like seawalls and levees designed to reduce storm surge and flooding.
Atlantic Hurricane Season – Runs from June 1 to November 30, the period when most hurricanes form in the Atlantic.

B

Barometer – An instrument that measures atmospheric pressure, critical for storm forecasting.
Barometric Pressure – The measurement of air pressure; a rapid drop often indicates hurricane intensification.
Beaufort Scale – A system for estimating wind speeds based on observed conditions.
Breaker Waves – Large waves caused by storm winds, often precursors to flooding.

C

Clean Energy – Renewable power sources like wind and solar that help reduce climate change and future storm risks.
Climate Change – Long-term shifts in climate that are fueling stronger and wetter hurricanes.
Computer Models – Simulations used by meteorologists to predict storm paths and intensities.
Cone of Uncertainty – The forecasted path of a storm, showing possible landfall zones.

D

Debris – Broken materials such as wood, glass, or metal carried by hurricane winds and storm surge.
Depression (Tropical Depression) – A tropical system with winds under 39 mph.
Devastate – To cause extreme destruction, often used to describe hurricane impacts.
Doppler Radar – Radar technology used to measure rainfall, wind, and storm rotation.
Dropsonde – A weather device released from aircraft into storms to collect data on temperature, humidity, and pressure.

E

Equator – The Earth’s midline where warm waters help fuel the majority of tropical cyclones.
Evacuation – The process of leaving an area before a storm for safety.
Evacuation Orders – Official directives for residents to leave high-risk areas.
Evaporate – The process by which water turns to vapor; evaporation from warm oceans fuels hurricanes.
Evil Winds – A dramatic term sometimes used in literature to describe destructive hurricane gusts.
Extreme Hurricane Winds – Winds exceeding 155 mph, typical of Category 5 hurricanes.
Eye – The calm, clear center of a hurricane.
Eyewall – The violent ring of thunderstorms surrounding the eye with the strongest winds.

F

Floodgates – Barriers designed to control or block water during storm surges.
Floating Buoys – Sea-based instruments that measure ocean conditions like temperature and wave height.
Forecast Cone – A map showing the possible future track of a hurricane.
Front (Weather Front) – The boundary between two air masses that can trigger storms.

G

Gale – Strong winds between 39–54 mph, common in tropical storms.
Generator – Backup power source used when electricity is lost during hurricanes.
Great Storms – Historical references to powerful hurricanes that reshaped regions.
Greenhouse Gases – Gases like CO₂ that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, intensifying storms.
Gulf Stream – A warm ocean current that helps fuel hurricanes near Florida.

H

High Gusts – Sudden bursts of wind stronger than the sustained speed of the storm.
Hurricane – A tropical cyclone with winds of 74 mph or higher.
Hurricane Hunters – Aircraft crews that fly into hurricanes to collect critical data.
Hurricane Watch – Conditions are possible within 48 hours.
Hurricane Warning – Conditions are expected within 36 hours.

L

Landfall – When the center of a storm crosses onto land.
Low Pressure System – A key factor in hurricane formation.
Lunar Tides – Ocean tides influenced by the moon, which can amplify storm surge flooding.

M

Major Hurricane – Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
Meteorologists – Scientists who study weather and predict storms.
Millibar (mb) – A unit of atmospheric pressure; lower mb = stronger storm.
Model (Forecast Model) – Computer simulations used to predict storm paths.

N

Natural Barriers – Features like mangroves, dunes, and wetlands that reduce storm surge impact.
National Hurricane Center (NHC) – U.S. agency responsible for tracking hurricanes.
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) – Federal agency that oversees weather forecasting and hurricane research.
Notification Systems – Emergency alert tools used to warn communities about approaching storms.
NWS (National Weather Service) – Government agency providing forecasts and storm warnings.
Nor’easter – A powerful winter storm along the U.S. East Coast.

R

Rainfall – Heavy precipitation from hurricanes that often causes inland flooding.
Rainbands – Curved strips of thunderstorms spiraling into a hurricane.
Rapid Intensification – When a storm’s winds increase by 35+ mph in 24 hours.
Reconnaissance Aircraft – Planes that fly into hurricanes to collect weather data.
Resilience – A community’s ability to recover after a hurricane.
Right-Front Quadrant – The most dangerous section of a hurricane, with the highest winds and surge.

S

Saffir-Simpson Scale – Scale that classifies hurricanes from Category 1–5.
Sea Sensors – Instruments in the ocean that record temperature and wave data.
Solar Power – Renewable energy source that remains valuable during storm recovery.
Storm Surge – A rise in sea level caused by hurricane winds pushing water inland.
Storm-Proof Buildings – Structures designed with reinforced materials to withstand hurricane winds.
Storm Tracker – Technology that monitors a storm’s movement and intensity.
Suction Vortex – A smaller, intense swirling wind embedded within a hurricane or tornado.

T

Thermometer – Tool to measure temperature, vital for hurricane science.
Top Winds – The highest sustained wind speeds recorded in a storm.
Tornado – A violently rotating column of air, sometimes spawned by hurricanes.
Tornadoes – Multiple tornado events, often forming in hurricane outer bands.
Tropical Cyclone – General term for hurricanes, typhoons, or cyclones.
Tropical Storm – A tropical system with winds between 39–73 mph.
Typhoon – A hurricane that forms in the western Pacific Ocean.

W

Watch – Conditions are possible (usually within 48 hours).
Warning – Conditions are expected (usually within 36 hours).
Weather Satellites – Orbiting devices that monitor storm development worldwide.
Wind Gusts – Sudden bursts of wind stronger than sustained wind speeds.
Wind Shear – Changes in wind direction/speed with altitude that can weaken storms.