A cyclone is declared a tropical storm when maximum sustained winds reach at least 39 mph, and much like its fellow tropical depressions and hurricanes, impacts can be significant.

To be classified as a tropical storm, a complex of thunderstorms must have a low-pressure center and winds that reach the minimum threshold.

Many tropical storms start out as tropical depressions and gradually gain strength over the warm waters of the Atlantic or Pacific oceans.

Forecasters say water temperatures of at least 78 – 80 °F are typically needed to produce enough heat energy for these cyclones to organize.

Sea surface temperatures start to reach minimum thresholds in the late spring and earlier summer and will stay sufficiently warm through most of the fall.

Despite their weaker wind speed and hi

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