Classification of Tropical Cyclones

Tropical cyclones are classified in accordance with the World Meteorological Organization's recommendation by their maximum sustained wind speeds near the centre. In Hong Kong, the classification is defined in terms of wind speeds averaged over a period of 10 minutes as follows :

Tropical Cyclone Classification		Maximum 10-minute mean wind near the centre
Tropical Depression		up to 62 km/h
Tropical Storm		63 to 87 km/h
Severe Tropical Storm		88 to 117 km/h
Typhoon		118 to 149 km/h
Severe Typhoon*		150 to 184 km/h
Super Typhoon*		185 km/h or above

*New categories starting 2009