The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is the measure used to assign a category to a hurricane. The scale provides examples of the type of damage and impacts in the United States associated with winds of the indicated intensity. The following table shows the scale broken down by winds:
Tropical Storm:
Winds (39 mph or 63 km/hr) to (73 mph or 118 km/hr).
Hurricane Warning:
Winds (74 mph or 119 km/hr) or higher are expected somewhere within the specified area in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the warning is issued 36 hours in advance of tropical-storm-force winds.
Hurricane Watch:
Winds (74 mph or 119 km/hr) or higher are possible within the specified area in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone. The hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of tropical-storm-force winds.
Source: NOAA
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