Bulletins from the National Hurricane Center, which are issued at the following times: 5 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m., and 11 p.m. When there are watches or warnings, then intermediate advisories are issued at 2 a.m., 8 a.m., 2 p.m., 8 p.m.

The circular area of comparatively light winds that encompasses the center of a severe tropical cyclone. The eye is either completely or partially surrounded by the eye-wall.

An organized band or ring of very high winds and heavy rain that surround the eye of a hurricane. This is the most dangerous part of the hurricane with the highest winds.

A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface winds are 74 mph or more.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 with a peak around Sept 14.

An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

A tropical weather system which meteorologists are interested in investigating with computer models. Most INVESTs do not turn into named storms. They are numbered 90-99, and the numbers repeat through the season.

A hurricane that is classified as Category 3 or higher.

An increase in the maximum sustained winds of a tropical storm or hurricane of at least 30 kt in a 24-hr period.