What are hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons and tornadoes?

Weather phenomena can be impressive and frightening both. Sometimes we come across words that are used for similar phenomena, but have important differences. This is the case of hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons and tornadoes. Next, we will see what the differences are between them:

Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons

Hurricane, cyclone, and typhoon are different terms used to describe a very intense tropical storm. The main difference between them is the geographical location:

Hurricane

Hurricane is the name given to tropical cyclones that form in the Atlantic and northeastern Pacific Ocean. It is called a typhoon when it forms in the northwest Pacific.

Cyclone

The cyclone forms in the Indian Ocean and the southwest Pacific. It is sometimes called a typhoon if it occurs in the southwest Pacific.

Typhoon

The typhoon is the term that is used for cyclones originating in the northwest Pacific Ocean.

Tornadoes

The tornado is a meteorological phenomenon different from the previous ones. It is a column of rotating air that forms in a storm, whose dimensions are usually much smaller than those of a hurricane, cyclone or typhoon.

Tornadoes are most common in North America and Asia. They form from thunderstorms that produce abundant rain, hail, and strong winds. These winds can reach speeds greater than 300 km/h.

Summary

The Main differences between hurricane, cyclone, typhoon and tornado are:

• Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons are tropical storms that differ depending on their geographical location.
• Tornadoes are columns of rotating air that form in a storm and are much smaller than cyclones, hurricanes or typhoons.

It is important to know the differences to avoid confusion and be prepared for the possible consequences of each of these meteorological phenomena.

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