General Information

Hurricane Season

The Atlantic hurricane season is officially from June 1 to November 30. Over 97% of tropical activity occurs in these six months, but hurricanes have occurred in every month of the year. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), the most common month for hurricanes is September. Bottom line: We should be prepared year-round.

Tropical Climate – Know Your Weather

Tropical Depression: An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33kt) or less.

Tropical Storm: An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39 - 73 mph (34 - 63 kt).

Hurricane: An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or higher. In other parts of the world, the word hurricane is synonymous with typhoon and cyclone.

Forecasts

Monitor weather reports frequently and heed the advice of local officials during hurricane season. Tropical systems can speed up, change direction and intensify without warning.  You can get information via email or text message by subscribing to Miami-Dade Alerts or via official social media outlets instead of traditional broadcast methods.

The following terms are used by weather forecasters to describe the strength and probability/ proximity of a storm from hitting a specific destination:

Hurricane Warning: A hurricane is expected to strike your area within 36 hours.

Hurricane Watch: A hurricane may strike your area within 48 hours.