The stage tells you how strong the wind is, not how dangerous the storm is. The wind scale does not measure storm surge, rainfall flooding or tornadoes, so follow the watches and warnings for your area at every stage.
| Stage | Winds (mph) | Winds (knots) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical depression | 38 or less | 33 or less | No category |
| Tropical storm | 39 to 73 | 34 to 63 | No category |
| Hurricane | 74 or more | 64 or more | Category 1 to 5 |
The three stages in order
A tropical cyclone is classified by its maximum sustained surface wind. When the wind is 38 mph (33 knots) or less it is a tropical depression. From 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 knots) it is a tropical storm. At 74 mph (64 knots) or more it is a hurricane. A storm can move up or down through these stages as it strengthens or weakens, so read the latest advisory instead of relying on the stage it had earlier.
How strong is a tropical depression?
A tropical depression is the weakest tropical cyclone, with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less. It has a closed circulation around a center but not the wind speed of a tropical storm. A depression can still bring heavy rain, and one that strengthens becomes a tropical storm when its winds reach 39 mph.
Tropical storm: the stage that gets a name
A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 knots) is a tropical storm. Tropical storms are given a name from the year's list, so a depression that strengthens past 38 mph gets a name. Our 2026 hurricane names page shows which names have been used and which is next.
Hurricane: 74 mph and a category
At 74 mph (64 knots) a tropical cyclone becomes a hurricane, the term used for Northern Hemisphere storms east of the International Dateline. A hurricane is rated Category 1 to 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, and Categories 3, 4 and 5 are major hurricanes. Our hurricane categories guide has the wind speeds in mph, knots and km/h.
What comes before: disturbance and potential tropical cyclone
Before a depression forms, forecasters may track a tropical disturbance, a discrete cluster of organized convection generally 100 to 300 nautical miles across that persists for 24 hours or more. A potential tropical cyclone is a disturbance that is not yet a tropical cyclone but threatens to bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to land within 72 hours,. The tropical weather outlook on this site shows what is forming now.
The in-between labels: subtropical and post-tropical
A subtropical storm is a non-frontal low with traits of both tropical and extratropical cyclones, with sustained winds of 39 mph (34 knots) or more. A post-tropical cyclone is a former tropical cyclone that no longer has enough tropical characteristics to be classified as one, and it can still produce heavy rain and high winds. A remnant low is a post-tropical cyclone without organized convection and with winds below 39 mph.
Stage is not the same as danger
These stages and the hurricane categories rate wind only. The National Hurricane Center scale does not take into account storm surge, rainfall flooding and tornadoes, and a hurricane warning can stay in effect for dangerously high water even after winds drop below hurricane force. A weak storm can still flood a place, so use the watches and warnings for your own area.
Is there one right now?
Active systems change every few hours. The hurricane tracker on this site lists each active depression, storm and hurricane by area from the National Hurricane Center, and the outlook page shows areas the center is watching for development.
Check your own location
See current official alerts and the impact for your ZIP code.
Common questions
How strong is a tropical depression?
A tropical depression has maximum sustained surface winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less. It is the weakest stage of a tropical cyclone and has no category.
What are the levels of tropical depression, tropical storm and hurricane?
A tropical depression has winds of 38 mph or less. A tropical storm has winds of 39 to 73 mph. A hurricane has winds of 74 mph or more and is rated Category 1 to 5 by its sustained wind speed.
What is the difference between a tropical depression and a tropical storm?
Wind speed. A tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less, and a tropical storm has 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 knots). A tropical storm is given a name.
What is the difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane?
Wind speed. A tropical storm has maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 knots). At 74 mph (64 knots) it becomes a hurricane and is given a category from 1 to 5.
What is a tropical cyclone?
A non-frontal, large-scale storm that forms over tropical or subtropical waters, with organized deep convection and a closed surface circulation around a well-defined center. Tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes are all tropical cyclones.
What is a tropical disturbance?
A discrete, organized cluster of convection, generally 100 to 300 nautical miles across, that persists for 24 hours or more. It is not yet a tropical cyclone.
What is a post-tropical cyclone?
A former tropical cyclone that no longer has enough tropical characteristics to be classified as one. It can still produce heavy rain and high winds.
Is there a tropical depression or tropical storm right now?
The live hurricane tracker on this site lists every active tropical depression, tropical storm and hurricane from the National Hurricane Center, by area, and says plainly when none are active.
Sources
- NHC Glossary of terms
- NHC Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
- NOAA AOML Hurricane FAQ: tropical cyclone terms
- NHC: Tropical cyclone names
Reviewed by the Storm Incoming editorial team on October 30, 2026. Follow local emergency officials if their instructions differ.