What is the difference between hurricanes typhoons and tropical cyclones

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Hurricanes vs Typhoons vs Cyclones. Typhoons are formed over the Northwest Pacific Ocean. The National Ocean Service helps coastal communities prepare for and recover from major coastal storms such as hurricanes.

Hurricanes and typhoons are the same weather phenomenon: tropical cyclones. A tropical cyclone is a generic term used by meteorologists to describe a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation. The weakest tropical cyclones are called tropical depressions. If a depression intensifies such that its maximum sustained winds reach 39 miles per hour , the tropical cyclone becomes a tropical storm.

Once a tropical cyclone reaches maximum sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher, it is then classified as a hurricane, typhoon, or tropical cyclone, depending upon where the storm originates in the world.

The same type of disturbance in the Northwest Pacific is called a typhoon. Meanwhile, in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, the generic term tropical cyclone is used, regardless of the strength of the wind associated with the weather system. It means a rotating, organised system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the US.

Hurricanes are categorised between 1 to 5 based on their wind speed. In the Atlantic, it is hurricane season between 1 June and 30 November. Typhoons in the Northwest Pacific Ocean are most common from May to October, although they can form year-round. And in the South Pacific, it's cyclone season between November and April. The World Meteorological Organization, a UN body, maintains a list to name tropical cyclones around the world. The names of the deadliest ones like Typhoon Haiyan or Hurricane Katrina are retired and replaced.

Countries in the regions of hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones send suggestions for the list to the global met authority. As the air cools down again it is pushed aside by more warm air rising below it. This cycle causes strong winds. Over the sea, a tropical storm can whip up huge waves.

When these waves reach land they can flood large areas, including towns and cities. Over land the strong winds can cause a lot of damage - they can flatten homes, knock over trees and even tip over cars. Scientists say the temperature of ocean water is going up and that can lead to hurricanes increasing in intensity in the future. They add that a hotter atmosphere can also hold more water, so this should allow hurricanes to dump more water on affected areas.

There are many factors which make the relationship between climate change and hurricanes a complex one.