How Are Typhoon Levels Classified? Understanding Typhoon Grade Standards in One Article

A typhoon refers to a tropical cyclone that forms over vast expanses of ocean in the tropics or subtropics where temperatures exceed 26°C. According to its intensity, it is divided into six levels: tropical depression, tropical storm, severe tropical storm, typhoon, severe typhoon, and super typhoon. Since 1989, China has adopted the international tropical cyclone naming and classification standards. Let's take a look below at how typhoon levels are classified!

Tropical Depression

[Basic Overview] A tropical depression is a type of tropical cyclone and belongs to the weakest level of tropical cyclone intensity. Its maximum wind force is 62 km per hour or below. It is the most important origin of typhoon formation and also the one that persists until the very end before dissipating.

[Wind Speed Level] Level 6-7.

[Wind Speed Value] 10.8-17.1 m/s.

Tropical Storm

[Basic Overview] A tropical storm is a type of tropical cyclone. It refers to a tropical cyclone with maximum wind force near the center reaching Level 8-9 (17.2-24.4 m/s). The formation of a tropical storm requires a weak tropical vortex (tropical depression) to exist beforehand. However, tropical storms also bring abundant fresh water to people. Tropical storms bring large amounts of rainfall to the coast of China, the coast of the Sea of Japan, India, Southeast Asia, and the southeastern United States, accounting for more than 1/4 of the total precipitation in these regions, and are of great significance for improving the freshwater supply and ecological environment of these areas.

[Wind Speed Level] Level 8-9.

[Wind Speed Value] 17.2-24.4 m/s.

Severe Tropical Storm

[Basic Overview] A severe tropical storm is a type of tropical cyclone. The maximum average wind speed near the lower-level center of a severe tropical storm is 24.5-32.6 m/s, and the maximum wind force near the lower-level center is Level 10-11. When the maximum wind force near the center of a tropical cyclone is Level 10-11 (24.5-32.6 m/s), and a tropical storm strengthens to this point, it is called a severe tropical storm. If a severe tropical storm continues to strengthen, it will form a typhoon.

[Wind Speed Level] Level 10-11.

[Wind Speed Value] 24.5-32.6 m/s.

Typhoon

[Basic Overview] A typhoon is a category of tropical cyclone. In meteorology, according to the definition of the World Meteorological Organization: a tropical cyclone with a sustained wind speed near the center of Level 12 to 13 (that is, 32.7 m to 41.4 m per second) is called a typhoon or hurricane. The name hurricane is used in the North Atlantic and eastern North Pacific, while in the western North Pacific (north of the equator, west of the International Date Line, and east of 100°E longitude), the equivalent term used is typhoon. When a typhoon continues to strengthen, it is called a severe typhoon.

[Wind Speed Level] Level 12-13.

[Wind Speed Value] 32.7-41.4 m/s.

Severe Typhoon

[Basic Overview] A severe typhoon refers to a tropical cyclone with maximum wind force near the center of Level 14-15 (41.5-50.9 m/s). When a severe typhoon continues to strengthen, it becomes a super typhoon. If the intensity of a severe typhoon weakens, it becomes a typhoon. Severe typhoons are often accompanied by heavy rainstorms, large sea tides, and large tsunami. When they occur, they are beyond human resistance and easily cause casualties. Severe typhoons bring abundant rainfall to vast areas and become a rainfall system closely related to human life and production. However, severe typhoons also always bring various kinds of destruction and are among the world's serious natural disasters.

[Wind Speed Level] Level 14-15.

[Wind Speed Value] 41.5-50.9 m/s.

Super Typhoon

[Basic Overview] A super typhoon is the strongest level among tropical cyclones. When the wind speed exceeds 51.0 m/s, it is called a super typhoon. Its maximum wind speed can reach more than 300 km per hour, destroying everything in its path. This enormous energy can directly bring disasters to humanity. This kind of wind force is rarely seen on land and is extremely destructive. At sea, the waves are extremely huge waves of over 14 m or more, with white foam everywhere and extremely low visibility. Therefore, the wind force of a super typhoon is clearly even more severe, and its destructive power is severely disastrous, making it one of the most serious natural disasters in the world.

[Wind Speed Level] ≥Level 16.

[Wind Speed Value] ≥51.0 m/s.