The difference between a cyclone and a typhoon
Cyclones and typhoons are two types of natural weather phenomena that have devastating consequences due to the violent winds and torrential rains that are associated with both of them. There is very little difference between a cyclone and typhoon in terms of how they begin and the characteristics of each one, which makes it harder to distinguish between them. However, they occur in different parts of the world.
About cyclones
A cyclone is characterized by violent winds that rotate at extremely high speeds. The winds that blow around an atmospheric pressure cause a cyclone to develop in a tropical region. The system develops over the warm waters near the equator as a tropical depression accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms. However in order for it to progress from a tropical depression to a cyclone, certain conditions have to be in place. The warm water causes the wind speed to increase and this causes it to become a tropical depression. Once a strong rotating storm develops and wind speeds are between 30 and 73 miles an hour, then it is called a cyclone.
About typhoons
A cyclone goes by several different names, of which typhoon is one, depending on where it is located. Typhoon is the name given to a cyclone that develops in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. Although it is a tropical cyclone, the winds blowing in this region blow in a counter clockwise direction. In a regular cyclone, the winds rotate in a clockwise direction.
When you know the difference between a cyclone and a typhoon, you will have a clearer picture of the weather patterns that are occurring all over the world when you watch the weather on TV.
Summary
- A cyclone and a typhoon are the same type of storm with the same winds and rain as well as being able to cause a lot of damage when they make landfall.
- A storm that has revolving winds between 39 and 73 miles an hour and is accompanied by downpours of rain is a cyclone.
- A cyclone occurs in the Indian Ocean and the southwestern Pacific Ocean. When it occurs in the northwestern Pacific it is called a typhoon.