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3. Meaning of terms used for regional exchange
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B |
C |
D |
E | F |
G | H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y | Z
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| TERM |
MEANING |
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Advisory |
A formal message from a Hurricane Warning Office giving warning
information together with details on tropical cyclone location,
intensity and movement, and precautions that should be taken.
Where possible, the RSMC Miami-Hurricane Center advisory will
contain a resume of all warnings in effect.
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Bulletin |
A public release from a weather office issued in the event of the occurrence or forecast occurrence of severe weather, including the developing stage of a tropical cyclone or after formal advisories on a hurricane or tropical cyclone have been discontinued. Bulletins emphasize features which are significant for the safety of the public and summarize all warnings in effect.
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Centre fix of the tropical cyclone
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The estimated location of the centre of a tropical cyclone.
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Eye
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The relatively clear and calm area inside the circular wall
of convective clouds,
the geometric centre of which is the centre of the
tropical cyclone (hurricane).
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Gale and tropical storm
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A warning for tropical storm conditions, including warning* possible sustained winds within the range 63-117 km/h (39-73 mph) (34-63 knots) are expected in specified areas within 24 hours or less.
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Hurricane
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A warm core tropical cyclone in which maximum average
surface wind (one-minute mean) is 118 km/h (74 mph) (64 knots) or greater.
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Hurricane season
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The portion of the year having a relatively high incidence of hurricanes. In the Atlantic, Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the period from 01 June to 30 November, and in the East Pacific, from 15 May to 30 November.
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Hurricane warning
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A warning that one or both of the following dangerous effects of a hurricane are expected in a specified area in 24 hours or less: (a) average winds 118 km/h (74 mph) (64 knots) or higher; (b) dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, even though winds expected may be less than hurricane force.
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Hurricane watch
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An announcement for a specific area that a hurricane or an
incipient hurricane condition poses a possible threat within 36 hours.
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Local action statements
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A public release prepared by a Weather Service Office in or near a threatened area giving specific details for its area of responsibility:
(a) weather conditions
(b) sections that should be evacuated and
(c) other precautions necessary to protect life and property.
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Reconnaissance aircraft centre fix of the tropical cyclone, vortex fix
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The location of the centre of a tropical cyclone obtained by reconnaissance aircraft penetration.
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Storm surge |
The
difference between the actual water level
under the influence of a meteorological disturbance
(storm tide) and the level which would have been
attained in the absence of the meteorological
disturbance (i.e. astronomical tide).
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Storm tide |
The actual sea level as influenced by a weather disturbance.
The storm tide consists of the normal astronomical tide
and the storm surge.
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Subtropical cyclone
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A non-frontal low pressure system that has characteristics of both tropical and extratropical cyclones.
- The most common type is an upper-level cold low with circulation extending to the surface layer and maximum sustained winds generally occurring at a radius of about 100 miles or more from the centre. In comparison to tropical cyclones, such systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds that is located farther from the centre, and typically have a less symmetric wind field and distribution of convection.
- A second type of subtropical cyclone is a mesoscale low originating in or near a frontolyzing zone of horizontal wind shear, with radius of maximum sustained winds generally less 30 miles. The entire circulation may initially have a diameter of less than 100 miles. These generally short-lived systems may be either cold core or warm core.
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Subtropical depression
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A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface
is less than 63 km/h (39 mph) (34 knots).
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Subtropical storm
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A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind is 63 km/h (39 mph) (34 knots) or greater.
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Tropical cyclone |
A warm-core, non-frontal synoptic-scale cyclone,
originating over tropical or subtropical waters,
with organized deep convection and closed surface
wind circulation about a well defined centre.
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Tropical depression |
A tropical cyclone in which the maximum
average surface wind (one minute mean) is 62 km/h (38 mph)
(33 knots) or less.
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Tropical disturbance |
A discrete system of apparently organized convection originating in the tropics or sub-tropics, having a non-frontal migratory character and having maintained its identity for at least 24 hours.
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Tropical storm |
A well organized warm-core tropical cyclone in which the
maximum average surface wind (one-minute mean) is in the
range 63-117 km/h (39-73 mph) (34-63 knots) inclusive.
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Tropical storm watch* |
An announcement for a specific area that a tropical storm or an incipient tropical storm condition poses a possible threat within 36 hours.
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Tropical wave |
A trough or cyclonic curvature maximum in the trade wind easterlies or equatorial westerlies. The wave may reach maximum amplitude in the lower middle troposphere, or may be the reflection of an upper-troposphere cold low or equatorial extension of a mid-latitude trough.
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* The terms "Tropical Storm Warning" and "Tropical Storm Watch" or their equivalent in Spanish are used in coastal or land area warnings by the RSMC Miami-Hurricane Center and an increasing number of Members.
