Short answer
A tropical storm and a hurricane are stages of the same broad kind of rotating tropical cyclone. In the Atlantic and eastern North Pacific, the US National Hurricane Center calls it a tropical storm at 39–73 mph maximum sustained winds and a hurricane at 74 mph or higher. The name does not tell you every hazard it can cause. 1 2
Both are tropical cyclones; wind intensity separates the categories in the stated basins.
On this page
At a glance
Scroll to compare all columns →
| Question | Tropical storm | Hurricane |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum sustained wind | 39–73 mph | 74 mph or higher |
| Broader class | Tropical cyclone | Tropical cyclone |
| Can cause flooding? | Yes | Yes |
The table summarizes the cited definitions and the article’s stated scope. 1 2
What each thing is
Tropical storm. An organized tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds from 39 to 73 mph under US classification. 1
Hurricane. An organized tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph in the Atlantic or eastern North Pacific. 2
Key differences
Classification uses the maximum sustained surface wind, not a single gust. A system can strengthen from tropical storm to hurricane or weaken back again. Rainfall, storm surge and tornado risk are not determined by this label alone; a tropical storm can still be deadly. 1 2
How to tell them apart
Check the latest National Hurricane Center advisory for the system’s maximum sustained wind and classification. Do not estimate the category from one local gust or the appearance of the eye on a map. Basin matters: the same wind threshold is called a typhoon in part of the Pacific. 1 2
Where they overlap
Both have organized circulation over tropical or subtropical waters and can bring strong wind, flooding and coastal hazards. A named storm may spend time in both categories. 1 2
Edge cases
A storm’s strongest winds can remain offshore while a location experiences weaker winds. A post-tropical system may have hurricane-force winds without meeting the tropical-cyclone classification. “Major hurricane” begins at a higher threshold than hurricane. 1 2
Why the distinction exists
Wind thresholds provide a consistent operational category for monitoring and communication. They are one piece of risk information, not an overall damage score. 1 2
Common misconceptions
A tropical storm is not harmless merely because it has not reached hurricane strength. Water hazards can dominate losses. 1 2
Examples
An organized Atlantic system with 60 mph maximum sustained winds is a tropical storm. If it strengthens to 80 mph while remaining tropical, it is classified as a hurricane. 1 2
Sources
Sources checked October 3, 2026.
- National Hurricane Center — Tropical Cyclone Climatology. Tropical cyclone classification.
- National Hurricane Center — National Hurricane Center Glossary. Tropical storm and hurricane entries.