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Causes
A tropical storm is a low pressure system with a defined wind circulation, born over tropical waters. According to the Weather Channel, a hurricane's life cycle passes through four distinct stages: tropical disturbance, tropical depression, tropical storm and hurricane.
Features
Tropical storms are considered an advanced stage of these severe weather systems, so the storm is given a name by the National Hurricane Center when it reaches this stage. The University of Illinois details how the storm continues to build wind velocity during this stage, reaching upward of 73 mph. Additionally, the storm becomes more circular in shape like a hurricane, and heavy rainfall continues.
Consequences
A continued drop in surface pressure will evolve the tropical storm into a hurricane with winds at speeds greater than 74 mph and a destructive hurricane "eye," which is the center of power for the storm. Hurricanes can have great destructive potential, so most people are encouraged to evacuate coastal locations if a system escalates from a tropical storm to a hurricane.