Operationally, the National Hurricane Center incorrectly classified the system as Tropical Depression Two due to an earlier subtropical storm.

Satellite estimates were already indicating that the depression was a tropical storm; the National Hurricane Center did not classify it as such, however, because the convection was newly formed.

It continued to become better organized, and at 0000 UTC on August 17, the National Hurricane Center classified it a tropical depression.

So, in 1972, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) officially classified the word under a new category, different from actual tropical cyclones.

Originally, the National Hurricane Center classified Gloria as a major hurricane upon making landfall but it was later downgraded in the seasonal post-analysis.

However, due to the uncertain nature of the storm, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) did not classify it as a tropical cyclone.

Despite displaying tropical characteristics, the National Hurricane Center determined the system was not a tropical cyclone over Oklahoma, and classified it as a "low".

As a result, the National Hurricane Center no longer considered it purely tropical and classified the system as a "subtropic storm" on October 14.

It continued to organize, and the next day the National Hurricane Center (NHC) classified it as Tropical Depression Twelve.

Later on March 8, the National Hurricane Center, based in Miami, Florida, classified the system as Low 90SL.