Hurricane Science Quiz: Winds, Categories, Storm Surge and Seasons

Ten NOAA-backed questions to test cyclone terminology, hurricane wind thresholds, ocean basins and storm surge.

Choose one answer per question. There’s no timer. You can skip a question; unanswered questions count as incorrect.

QUESTION 01At what sustained wind speed does a tropical cyclone qualify as a hurricane?

39 mph60 mph74 mph100 mph

QUESTION 02What is the lowest Saffir-Simpson category classified as a major hurricane?

Category 3Category 1Category 2Category 5

QUESTION 03Category 5 hurricanes begin at which sustained wind speed?

111 mph130 mph145 mph157 mph

QUESTION 04When does the official Atlantic hurricane season begin?

May 15June 1July 1August 1

QUESTION 05When does the official Atlantic hurricane season end?

September 30October 31November 30December 31

QUESTION 06What is a hurricane called in the northwest Pacific?

TyphoonNor'easterTornadoMonsoon

QUESTION 07What does the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale directly classify?

Rainfall totalsStorm surge depthEvacuation costMaximum sustained wind

QUESTION 08Which part of a mature hurricane often has relatively calm conditions?

Outer rainbandEyeEyewallCold front

QUESTION 09What does storm surge mean in coastal forecasting?

An abnormal rise in coastal sea levelA regular ocean tideA short inland thunderstormA single tall breaker

QUESTION 10Which Pacific basin uses the term hurricane rather than typhoon?

Northwest PacificIndian OceanEastern North PacificSouth Pacific

There’s more to the story.