Learning Objective: At the end of the session, the students are expected to be able to identify the similarity and difference of hurricane, typhoon and tropical cyclone and explain how they are being named through their own understanding.


What is a hurricane, typhoon, or tropical cyclone?

Contributed by Chris Landsea

The terms "hurricane" and "typhoon" are regionally specific names for a strong "tropical cyclone". A tropical cyclone is the generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale low-pressure system over tropical or sub-tropical waters with organized convection (i.e. thunderstorm activity) and definite cyclonic surface wind circulation (Holland 1993).

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How are tropical cyclones named?

Tropical cyclones are named to provide ease of communication between forecasters and the general public regarding forecasts, watches, and warnings. Since the storms can often last a week or longer and that more than one can be occurring in the same basin at the same time, names can reduce the confusion about what storm is being described.

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