Here’s when a tropical storm becomes a hurricane

ORLANDO, Fla. – From when a tropical disturbance becomes a tropical depression to a tropical storm to a hurricane, there are different criteria forecasters use to determine its designation.

Any storm system in the tropics is called a tropical cyclone, but there are different categorizations of tropical cyclones, based on wind speeds.

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A tropical depression becomes a tropical storm and receives a name when the system reaches sustained wind speeds at least 39 mph.

From there, if it gains strength and increases in wind speed, it becomes a hurricane.

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Here is what determines each category for a hurricane:

• Category 1 -- 74 to 95 mph sustained winds
• Category 2 -- 96 to 110 mph sustained winds
• Category 3 -- 111 to 129 mph sustained winds
• Category 4 -- 130 to 156 mph sustained winds
• Category 5 -- 157 mph or higher sustained winds

A hurricane is considered a major hurricane when it reaches Category 3 status.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

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