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- Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale/Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS)
- The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 categorization based on the hurricane's intensity at the indicated time. The scale provides examples of the type of damage and impacts in the United States associated with winds of the indicated intensity.[1]
- Sea surface temperature
- Water temperature close to the surface of a large body of water, such as an ocean or sea. Normally, an ocean temperature of 26.5 °C (79.7 °F) spanning through at least a 50-metre depth is one of the six requirements needed to maintain the special mesocyclone that is the tropical cyclone.[7] These warm waters are needed to maintain the warm core that fuels tropical systems.
- Severe Tropical Cyclone
- A term used by RSMC Nadi and the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers in Perth, Darwin, Jakarta, Port Moresby and Wellington to describe an Australian category 3, 4 or 5 tropical cyclone that has wind speeds greater than 120 km/h (75 mph).
- Severe Tropical Storm
- A term used by the Japan Meteorological Agency to describe a typhoon with 10-minute windspeeds between 88–117 km/h (55–73 mph).
- Storm surge
- An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, and whose height is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Storm surge is usually estimated by subtracting the normal or astronomic high tide from the observed storm tide.[1]
- Storm Surge Warning
The danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the specified area, generally within 36 hours, in association with an ongoing or potential tropical cyclones, a subtropical cyclone or a post-tropical cyclone. The warning may be issued earlier when other conditions, such as the onset of tropical-storm-force winds are expected to limit the time available to take protective actions for surge (e.g., evacuations). The warning may also be issued for locations not expected to receive life-threatening inundation but which could potentially be isolated by inundation in adjacent areas.[1]
- Storm Surge Watch
The possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the specified area, generally within 48 hours, in association with an ongoing or potential tropical cyclones, a subtropical cyclone or a post-tropical cyclone. The watch may be issued earlier when other conditions, such as the onset of tropical-storm-force winds are expected to limit the time available to take protective actions for surge (e.g., evacuations). The warning may also be issued for locations not expected to receive life-threatening inundation but which could potentially be isolated by inundation in adjacent areas.[1]
- Storm tide
- The actual level of sea water resulting from the astronomic tide combined with the storm surge.[1]
- Storm Warning
- A warning of 1-minute sustained surface winds of 48 kn (55 mph or 88 km/h) or greater, either predicted or occurring, not directly associated with tropical cyclones.[1]
- Strike
- strike zone diagram For any particular location, a hurricane strike occurs if that location passes within the hurricane's strike circle, a circle of 125 nmi diameter, centered 12.5 nmi to the right of the hurricane center (looking in the direction of motion). This circle is meant to depict the typical extent of hurricane-force winds, which are approximately 75 nmi to the right of the center and 50 nmi to the left.[1]
- Subtropical cyclone
- A non-frontal low pressure system that has characteristics of both tropical and extratropical cyclones. This system is typically 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 center. In comparison to tropical cyclones, such systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds that is located farther from the center, and typically have a less symmetric wind field and distribution of convection.[1]
- Subtropical Depression
- (Atlantic/Eastern Pacific Ocean) - A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed is 33 kn (38 mph or 62 km/h) or less.[1]
- Subtropical Storm
- A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 34 kn (39 mph or 63 km/h) or more.[1]
- Super Typhoon (CMA)
- A term used by the China Meteorological Administration to describe a typhoon in the Western Pacific that has sustained windspeeds greater than over a 3-minute period
- Super Typhoon (HKO)
- A term used by the Hong Kong Observatory to describe a typhoon in the Western Pacific that has sustained windspeeds greater than over a 10-minute period
- Super Typhoon (JTWC)
- A term used by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in the Western Pacific to describe a typhoon that has sustained windspeeds greater than 130 knots over a 1-minute period.
- Super Typhoon (PAGASA)
- A term used unofficially by PAGASA in the Western Pacific for tropical cyclones with 10-minute sustained winds of more than 185 km/h (115 mph).
- Synoptic Track
- Weather reconnaissance mission flown to provide vital meteorological information in data sparse ocean areas as a supplement to existing surface, radar, and satellite data. Synoptic flights better define the upper atmosphere and aid in the prediction of tropical cyclone development and movement.[1]