Why are there hurricane warnings when there is only a tropical storm?

Question

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at2.shtml?5day#contents

I was looking at the thing titled "Coastal Watches/Warnings and 5-Day Track Forecast Cone" and I'm clueless as to why there are hurricane warnings when there isn't a hurricane. Someone please explain what the deal is with this.

Answer 1

Coastal watches means there is a possibility's of flooding, warning means there will be flooding. The five day track cone shows where the storm may be in five days. I think the middle of the cone is where the storm would actually hit if things in the atmosphere were to stay the same. But there is usually change. If your talking about Gustav, it is a tropical storm now but will turn into a hurricane before it hits land.There no warnings for the US right now.

Answer 2

Hurricane warnings are issued for areas that are forecasted to see hurricane conditions in 24 hours or less. So, even though the storm is still a tropical storm, the storm is expected to be a hurricane by the time it reaches the warned areas.  

Answer 3

The reason there are hurricane warnings is because according to the predictions of the meteorologists Gustav is expected to reach a category 3 hurricane status by the time it hits the gulf coast next week.  They are expecting the storm to intensify and they just want everyone to be prepared and be warned far enough in advance that you can still have time to leave and go someplace safer.