Hurricane Watch
An announcement for specific coastal areas that hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours.

Hurricane Warning
A warning that sustained winds 64 kt (74 mph or 119 km/hr) or higher associated with a hurricane are expected in a specific coastal area in 24 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

Tropical Storm Watch
An announcement for specific coastal areas that tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning
A warning that sustained winds within the range of 34 to 63 kt (39 to 73 mph or 63 to 188 km/hr) associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in specific coastal areas within 24 hours or less.

From: NOAA/National Weather Service
Find out the different names for tropical cyclones and what defines them.
Learn how disturbances grow into full-blown hurricanes, and why they weaken over land.
See the Saffir-Simpson scale for defining hurricane strength.
Why is the center of a hurricane different from the eye? Review your hurricane vocabulary.
Here are some quick questions and answers about hurricanes.
Learn the difference between hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings.
See which storm names have been retired, along with the year of retirement.
Read about the Hurricane Hunters of the Air Force Reserve.
Learn how wind speed can be estimated using visual observations.
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