|| Starpath online classroom || Glossary || Glossary Index || Home ||

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

hurricane 1. See under tropical cyclone. 2. Wind of force 12 on the Beaufort scale (64 knots and higher). Hurricane warnings are issued for present or expected sustained winds greater than 64 knots. See G314. Such a warning system was initiated by Robert FitzRoy in England in the mid 1800s. See related warnings under small craft advisory. Note that hurricane warnings are not issued for the Pacific Coast of the US north of Pt. Arguello, CA. North of there, winds do, of course, occasionally exceed 64 knots, and they do so even frequently during the winter in the Gulf of Alaska, but in this case only the storm warnings are displayed.

[close window]