What is a Typhoon?
A typhoon cyclone, often known as a tropical cyclone or hurricane, is a powerful circular storm that forms over warm tropical waters and is distinguished by low air pressure, strong winds, and heavy rain. A tropical cyclone generates winds that surpass 119 km (74 miles) per hour by drawing energy from the sea surface and sustaining its strength as long as it lingers over warm water. Winds may approach 240 km/h (150 miles per hour) in severe circumstances, with gusts exceeding 320 km/h (200 miles per hour).
These tremendous winds are accompanied by heavy rains and deadly phenomena known as storm surge, which is an elevation of the sea surface that may exceed 6 meters (20 feet) above normal levels.
Cyclones pose a major threat to coastal communities in tropical and subtropical regions across the world due to their mix of powerful winds and water. Cyclones impact locations as widely apart as the Gulf Coast of North America, northern Australia, and eastern India and Bangladesh every year during the late summer months (Northern Hemisphere: July–September; Southern Hemisphere: January–March).
Typhoon Definition
Typhoons are tropical cyclones that originate in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Pacific Ocean east of the dateline, the South Pacific east of 160E, and the Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline, with winds of more than 74 miles per hour. The spinning wind blows with scary power across the warm seas of the tropics. This force slams ashore, wreaking havoc and possibly killing. Typhoons are one of nature's most devastating storms, bringing torrential rainfall, dangerous seas, and high winds. It leaves its mark on the earth by ripping up trees, causing floods, and destroying homes. This horrific storm kills thousands of people and damages a million dollars. People are displaced, and everything is washed away by the floods.
In different places of the world, tropical cyclones are referred to by different names. In the North Atlantic Ocean and the eastern North Pacific, they are called hurricanes, but in the western North Pacific in the Philippines, Japan, and China, they are called typhoons. Severe tropical cyclones, tropical cyclones, and simply cyclones are all terms used in the western South Pacific and the Indian Ocean. All of these names are used to describe the same sort of storm. Hence there is no difference between typhoons and cyclones except they occur in different places and are therefore known by different names. Now let's see what typhoon definition is and how it got formed.
Formation of Cyclones or Typhoons
Cyclones are formed by thunderstorms and thunderstorms develop in hot, humid, and tropical areas like India. Rising temperatures cause strong winds to blow higher. These winds carry water droplets into the air, where they freeze and eventually fall back to earth. Lightning and sound are created by the rapid movement of falling water droplets and rising air. This is known as a thunderstorm.
Now the question that arises here is how a thunderstorm turns into a cyclone. So let’s explain this phenomenon, as we know that water requires heat in order to change its state from liquid to vapour form. Prior to cloud formation, water absorbs heat from the atmosphere and converts it to vapour. This heat is released into the atmosphere as water vapour transforms back to liquid form as raindrops.
The heat emitted into the environment heats the surrounding air. The air prefers to ascend, resulting in a reduction in pressure. More air rushes to the storm's core. This cycle continues indefinitely. The series of events culminates in the production of a very low-pressure system surrounded by extremely high-speed winds. This type of weather is referred to as a cyclone. Wind speed, direction, temperature, and humidity all have a role in the formation of cyclones.
Structure of a Typhoon or Cyclone
A cyclone's core is a quiet area. It's known as the storm's eye. A big cyclone is a furiously revolving mass of air in the atmosphere that may reach heights of 10 to 15 kilometres. The eye's diameter ranges from 10 to 30 kilometres. It is a cloudless zone with minimal breezes. A cloud area of around 150 kilometres in size surrounds this tranquil and beautiful eye. High-speed winds (150–250 km/h) and dense clouds with heavy rain are present in this area. As we go away from this area, the wind speed steadily diminishes. A cyclone's creation is an extremely intricate process.
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Typhoon Vs Hurricane
Any mass of air that spirals around a low-pressure centre is referred to as a cyclone. A well-organized swarm of thunderstorms is embedded in a swirling mass of air. Typhoons and hurricanes are both tropical cyclones in general, however, their sites differ. Tropical storms in the western Pacific are referred to as Typhoons, whilst those in the Atlantic and East Pacific Oceans are referred to as Hurricanes. The crucial factor is longitude.
Difference Between Typhoon and Hurricane
Conclusion
Hence a typhoon cyclone, also known as a tropical cyclone or hurricane, is a violent circular storm that originates over warm tropical waters and is characterised by low air pressure, high winds, and heavy rain. These cyclones or typhoons are formed by thunderstorms and thunderstorms usually form in hot, humid, tropical countries such as India. The centre of a cyclone is a peaceful place. It's referred to as the storm's eye and a large cyclone is a rapidly rotating mass of air in the atmosphere that may reach heights of 10 to 15 kilometres.
FAQs on Typhoon
1. What is a typhoon in simple terms?
A typhoon is a powerful, mature tropical cyclone that forms over the warm waters of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. It is a massive, rotating storm system characterised by a low-pressure centre, strong winds spiralling inwards, and heavy rainfall. The most intense typhoons develop a calm, clear area at their centre known as the 'eye'.
2. What is the difference between a typhoon, a hurricane, and a cyclone?
There is no scientific difference between a typhoon, a hurricane, and a cyclone; they are all the same weather phenomenon known as a tropical cyclone. The only difference is the name used based on where they form in the world:
- Typhoon: Occurs in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean.
- Hurricane: Occurs in the North Atlantic Ocean, Northeast Pacific Ocean, and South Pacific Ocean.
- Cyclone: Occurs in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.
3. How does a typhoon form?
A typhoon forms through a specific combination of atmospheric and oceanic conditions. The key ingredients are:
- Warm Ocean Water: The sea surface temperature must be at least 26.5°C (80°F) to a depth of about 50 metres. This warm water provides the energy for the storm.
- High Humidity: Moist air rises, and as it cools, the water vapour condenses to form clouds, releasing significant latent heat that powers the storm.
- Coriolis Effect: The Earth's rotation provides the necessary spin for the storm to develop its characteristic spiral shape. This is why typhoons do not form near the equator.
- Low Wind Shear: The winds at different altitudes must be consistent in speed and direction to allow the storm's structure to grow vertically without being torn apart.
4. Why does a typhoon have a calm 'eye' at its centre?
The calm 'eye' of a typhoon is a unique feature caused by the storm's powerful dynamics. As air spirals rapidly inward towards the centre, some of it sinks into the middle of the storm. This sinking air warms up and suppresses cloud formation, resulting in a tranquil area with light winds and often clear skies. This calm region is surrounded by the eyewall, which is the most intense part of the typhoon with the strongest winds and heaviest rain.
5. What are the main dangers associated with a typhoon?
Typhoons pose multiple significant threats to coastal areas. The primary dangers include:
- Destructive Winds: Extremely high-speed winds can uproot trees, damage buildings, and turn loose debris into dangerous projectiles.
- Heavy Rainfall and Flooding: Typhoons can dump immense amounts of rain in a short period, leading to widespread flash floods and landslides.
- Storm Surge: This is an abnormal rise in sea level caused by the typhoon's strong winds pushing water towards the shore. It is often the most destructive aspect, causing severe coastal inundation.
6. How is a typhoon different from a monsoon?
While both typhoons and monsoons involve strong winds and heavy rain, they are fundamentally different phenomena. A typhoon is a single, organised storm system that lasts for days to a week and covers a few hundred kilometres. In contrast, a monsoon is a large-scale, seasonal reversal of wind patterns that affects an entire continent or region for several months, defining its wet and dry seasons.
7. Which country is most affected by typhoons?
The Philippines is the country most frequently hit by typhoons. Its geographical location in the Western Pacific Ocean places it directly in the path of the world's most active typhoon belt. On average, the country experiences about 20 tropical cyclones annually, with several making landfall as powerful typhoons.
8. How are typhoons categorised or measured?
Typhoons are primarily categorised based on their maximum sustained wind speed. Various meteorological agencies around the world use different scales. For instance, some agencies classify a tropical cyclone as a 'typhoon' once its wind speeds reach 118 km/h (74 mph). The most powerful storms with extremely high wind speeds are often referred to as 'super typhoons', indicating a higher potential for destruction.
9. How long does a typical typhoon last?
The lifespan of a typhoon can vary significantly, from just over 24 hours to more than two weeks. Its duration depends on its ability to stay over warm ocean water, which is its primary energy source. Once a typhoon moves over land or cooler waters, it rapidly loses strength and dissipates.
