Tropical Storms are also known as Hurricanes (Atlantic), Tropical Cyclones (South East Asia), Willy Willies (Australia) and Typhoons (Pacific).

Tropical storms

Tropical Storms are areas of extreme low pressure. This means air is rising, causing ‘low pressure’ on the earth’s surface. The maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) ranges from 34 knots (39 mph or 63 kph) to 63 knots (73 mph or 118 kph).

Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential. The video below demonstrates the five categories.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

How are Tropical Storms named?
All tropical storms are given names so they can be identified and tracked as they move over oceans. In 1979, both women and men’s names were used. One name for each letter of the alphabet is selected, except for Q, U and Z. For Atlantic Ocean hurricanes, the names may be French, Spanish or English, since these are the major languages bordering the Atlantic Ocean where the storm occur.

The World Meteorological Organization uses six lists in rotation. If the tropical storm is particularly deadly or costly the name is retired and a new one is chosen.

The Six-Year List of Hurricane Names For Atlantic Storms: 

Further information on these names and tropical storms in other parts of the world can be found on the National Hurricane Centre website.

Find out how tropical storms form.