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Tropical Terminology: Words to know this hurricane season

Warming is more immediate. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

The first tropical storm warning of the year has been issued across the Texas coast! But what does this mean?

In this article we’ll break down several tropical terms you should know for the season.

This is the first of 2024! (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Tropical Storm Watch: Winds of 39-73 mph are POSSIBLE within the next 48 hours

Tropical Storm Warning: Winds of 39-73 mph are EXPECTED within the next 36 hours or less.

Warning is imminent. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Hurricane Watch: Winds of 74 mph or higher are POSSIBLE within the next 48 hours

Hurricane Warning: Winds of 74 mph or higher are EXPECTED within the next 36 hours

Storm surge is the abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a tropical system. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Storm Surge Watch: Issued when there is the POSSIBILITY of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline within the next 48 hours

Storm Surge Warning: Issued when there is the DANGER of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline within the next 36 hours

There is a flood watch in place. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Not only do we have tropical alerts, but we also have flood alerts. Similar to tropical alerts, the warning is immediate.

A watch means "Watch Out" (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

About the Authors
Caroline Brown headshot

Meteorologist, 6th generation Texan, country music lover, patio seeker

Amanda Goluszka is a weather intern at KPRC 2. Hailing from Chicago and having studied at College of DuPage and Texas A&M University, she's focused on becoming a full-time broadcast meteorologist.

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