A cyclone that originates over the tropical oceans. Tropical cyclones are classified according to their intensity and windspeed and, when fully mature, are characterized by extremely high-speed winds and torrential rains. In the United States, tropical cyclones that have windspeeds greater than 40 miles per hour are classified as tropical storms, and tropical cyclones that have windspeeds of 74 miles per hour or more are classified as hurricanes. See also Cyclone
TROPICAL CYCLONE
