tormenta tropical
Definition
A localized, low-pressure weather system centered over tropical or subtropical waters with organized cyclonic wind circulation, characterized by sustained wind speeds between 39 and 73 mph.
Metaphorically used to describe a chaotic or turbulent situation that feels intense and disruptive but has not yet reached the 'hurricane' level of full-blown catastrophe.
Examples
Mi vida amorosa actual es una tormenta tropical: hay mucho viento, mucha lluvia y nadie sabe dónde va a terminar tocando tierra.
My current love life is a tropical storm: there is a lot of wind, a lot of rain, and nobody knows where it will end up making landfall.
Los meteorólogos dicen que viene una tormenta tropical, lo cual es la excusa perfecta para quedarme en casa comiendo pizza y viendo películas.
Meteorologists say a tropical storm is coming, which is the perfect excuse for me to stay home eating pizza and watching movies.
Es casi increíble cómo una pequeña tormenta tropical puede arruinar todos mis planes de playa; la naturaleza claramente me tiene manía.
It is almost unbelievable how a small tropical storm can ruin all my beach plans; nature clearly has a vendetta against me.