Florida Today:Tropical depression: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed is 38 mph or less.Tropical storm: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed ranges from 39 mph to 73 mph.Hurricane/typhoon: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind is 74 mph or more.
The term hurricane is used for Northern Hemisphere tropical cyclones east of the International Dateline to the Greenwich Meridian.The term typhoon is used for Pacific tropical cyclones north of the Equator west of the International Dateline.Major hurricane: A hurricane that is classified as Category 3 or higher.