Hurricane Warnings

Once a hurricane has been detected, and its movement carefully observed and plotted, the Hurricane Warning Service in the United States goes into operation. The National Hurricane Center, in Miami, Florida, is the major base of activity for this warning system.

The task of properly warning the public about an approaching hurricane is a big responsibility. As a hurricane speeds closer to land, the National Hurricane Center issues a series of warnings to specific areas of coastline. The warnings and their meanings are as follows:

• Small craft warning. A storm is within a few hundred miles of the coast.
• Gale warning. Winds of 38 to 54 miles per. At 39 miles per hour, the storm is given a name.
• Tropical storm warning. Winds of 55 to 74 miles.
• Hurricane watch. Winds above 74 miles per hour. Hurricane conditions threatening land are a serious possibility.
• Hurricane warning. Winds above 74 miles per hour. Hurricane force winds are expected to hit land. The flags, above, would be displayed to warn boats of the dangerous storm.

You can find out more about the current weather and possible warnings and watches at The Weather Channel.

Plane and Clouds	Hurricane Menu	Museum Menu

Science Learning Network / Inquiry Resources