Tropical Wave - A disturbance embedded in the Easterly Trade winds. Tropical Waves propagate across the Atlantic between 10-23 mph and are associated with cloudiness, showers and thunderstorms. On average, between 60 - 70 Tropical Waves form yearly over the Atlantic.
Tropical Depression - A Tropical Cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 33 knots (38 mph) or less.
Tropical Storm - A Tropical Cyclone with maximum sustained winds ranging from 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph). At this stage it becomes a "names" system. E.g. Tropical Storm Tomas.
Hurricane - A Tropical Cyclone in which maximum sustained winds are 64 knots (74 mph) or more.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 categorization based on the hurricane's intensity at the indicated time. The scale provides examples of the type of damage and impacts associated with winds of the indicated intensity. The following table shows the scale broken down by winds:
| Category | Wind Speed (mph) | Damage |
| 1 | 74 - 95 | Very dangerous winds will produce some damage |
| 2 | 96 - 110 | Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage |
| 3 | 111 - 129 | Devastating damage will occur |
| 4 | 130 - 156 | Catastrophic damage will occur |
| 5 | > 156 | Catastrophic damage will occur |
Tropical Storm Warning - An announcement that sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) are expected somewhere within the specified area within 36 hours.
Tropical Storm Watch - An announcement that sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified area within 48 hours.
Hurricane Warning - An announcement that sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher are expected within a specified area. The warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated hurricane.
Hurricane Watch - An announcement that sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher are possible within a specified area. The hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated hurricane.
Showers - Precipitation relatively short-lived but may last for up to an hour.
Isolated Showers - Showers generally covering less than 25% of the forecast area.
Widely scattered Showers - Showers generally covering 25% to 40% of the forecast area.
Scattered Showers - Shower generally covering 40% to 60% of the forecast area.
Widespread Showers - Showers generally covering more that 60% of the forecast area.
Flash-flood - A sudden local flood of great volume and short duration which follows within minutes or a few hours (usually less than six) of heavy/excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or the sudden release of water impounded by a landslide dam.
Flood - An overflow of water onto normally dry area caused by ponding of water at/near the point where rain fell or rising water in an existing waterway such as a river or stream. Flooding is a longer term event than flash flooding and may last days or weeks.
Fair - Cloud cover of 1 or 2 oktas of low and/or mid-level clouds during the forecast period. NB Okta is a unit used in meteorology to measure cloud cover. It is measured in eighths. Therefore, 1 okta is equivalent to 1/8.
Partly Cloudy - Cloud cover of 3 or 4 oktas of low and/or mid-level clouds during the forecast period.
Cloudy - Cloud cover of 5, 6 or 7 oktas of low and/or mid-level clouds during the forecast period.
Overcast - Cloud cover of 8 oktas (the entire sky) of low and/or mid-level clouds during the forecast period.
Warning Warning Guide
The stages/ levels for severe weather warning are:
Flood Advisory - Issued when there is a very low risk of flooding. The public is advised to be aware/alert.
Flood Watch - Issued when flooding is possible as conditions become more favorable. The pubic is advised to be prepared.
Flood Warning - Issued when flooding has been reported or will occur shortly. The public should take action to protect life and property.
More terms - The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Caribbean Regional Climate Centre (RCC), based at Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) has a Glossary of Technical Terms used in the field of Climatology and related bulletins. visit...http://rcc.cimh.edu.bb/glossary-of-terms/