What Sets Hurricanes Apart from Typhoons?
Introduction
One of the most dangerous forms of storm which has the capacity to destroy millions of lives, flora, fauna is known as hurricanes. Hurricanes are formed due to the warm waters near the equator.
The large strokes which formed over the Atlantic ocean and pacific ocean are termed as hurricanes. Tropical cyclones or typhoons are another name for these hurricanes. It is rapidly rotating low pressure, strong winds, and spiral arrangements of thunderstorms that produce rainfall.
Tropical, the word which is referred here is to their geographical origin, which almost forms near the tropical seas. Cyclones are the whirling winds around their central eye, it’s also referred to as winds moving in circular directions in the seas or oceans. In the northern hemisphere, the winds in anticlockwise direction and in the southern hemisphere, the winds blow in the clockwise direction. The coriolis effect causes opposite direction of movement of winds. Tropical cyclones are formed in the warm water or large water bodies. They get energy due to the evaporation process from the surface of the ocean and it recondenses into clouds and rain when moist air rises and cools.
This is different from the mid latitude cyclone storms such as european wind storms which are dependent on the horizontal temperature constant.
What is a Hurricane?
It is a strong tropical cyclone that is formed in large water bodies and in tropical or subtropical waters. It is a low pressure rotating weather system that has organized thunderstorms. These cyclones have a diameter between 100 to 2000 km. Cyclones that have surface winds less than 39 miles per hour are known as depression and the one which is more than 39 miles per hour is known as tropical storms. When it reaches 74 miles per hour or above then it’s called a hurricane. saffir-simpson
it is a hurricane wind scale which measures between 1 to 5 scale or category a based on the winds of hurricane. The higher the category the more destructive hurricane is. Cyclones originate in the area like November 30. Although many hurricanes have occurred before and after this time also. National hurricane centers track these hurricanes year long. And minimum it occurs on an average 12 times a year. National Oceanic and atmospheric administration is the leader in hurricane research.
How do Hurricanes Form?
On the west coast of Africa to the north of the equator, a typical towering thunderstorm cloud is present but it could soon change into a hurricane, there are many other thunderstorms that form in that particular area. And all those dark clouds start rotating around this creates an area of low atmospheric pressure which is known as the low depression area. It draws enough energy from the warmth of ocean water. The cycling stromes might grow as strong thunderstorms. In many other warm tropical areas it occurs in the world. In the Atlantic, these storms are called hurricanes and in different parts of the world, these are called typhoons or tropical storms. For the formation of hurricanes, warm water must be humid, moist air is needed in that region. Now, when the humid air is rising above at a low-pressure zone or area the water then is released from the air creating storm clouds. As it rises hurricanes air also starts rotating. Towards the northern hemisphere, the air gets curved which is present in the middle of the hurricanes and then the same air rotates towards the southern hemisphere forming clockwise and anticlockwise rotation.
Difference between Hurricane and Typhoon
Hurricanes and typhoons both are tropical cyclones. Metrologists use the common term tropical cyclones, to describe rotating organization of clouds which occurs over low-pressure circulation.
A tropical depression is also known as the weakest tropical cyclone. If a cyclone is having 39 miles per hour speed then it’s admitted as not too disastrous a cyclone however if the same cyclone is more than 39 and till 76 or above then it’s said to be a hurricane that has the capacity to destroy many things. A hurricane is very much destructive it causes damages to property, peoples life, and even many more destruction, whereas a cyclone or a typhoon is less dangerous this is because the continuous supply of warm water current to the cyclone is less, whereas a hurricane is continuously provided by the warm water to the clouds.
Pre-existing weather disturbance, moisture, warm tropical, relative light wind are the factors that are the ingredients for tropical cyclones.
FAQs on Hurricane: Physics, Formation, and Comparison
1. What is a hurricane and what defines it?
A hurricane is a large, powerful, and rotating storm system known as a tropical cyclone. To be classified as a hurricane, the storm must have a well-defined circular circulation and sustained wind speeds of at least 74 miles per hour (119 km/h). These storms form over warm ocean waters and can cause significant damage when they make landfall.
2. How and where do hurricanes typically form?
Hurricanes form over warm tropical or subtropical ocean waters, typically with a surface temperature of at least 26.5°C (80°F). The formation process involves:
- Evaporation: Warm, moist air over the ocean rises rapidly.
- Condensation: As the air rises, it cools and the water vapour condenses, releasing a massive amount of heat (latent heat of condensation). This heat warms the surrounding air, causing it to rise further and creating a low-pressure area.
- Rotation: The Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect) causes the rising air to start spinning, forming a tropical depression that can intensify into a hurricane.
3. What is the difference between a hurricane, a typhoon, and a cyclone?
Scientifically, hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones are all the same type of storm: a tropical cyclone. The difference in name is purely geographical:
- Hurricane: A tropical cyclone that forms in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Pacific Ocean east of the dateline, or the South Pacific Ocean east of 160°E.
- Typhoon: A tropical cyclone that forms in the Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline.
- Cyclone: A tropical cyclone that forms in the South Pacific Ocean west of 160°E or in the Indian Ocean.
4. What is the 'eye' of a hurricane, and why is it calm?
The 'eye' is the calm, low-pressure centre of a strong hurricane. It is a region of mostly light winds and often clear skies. This calmness is due to the mechanics of the storm's rotation. The strongest winds are spiralling upwards and outwards in the surrounding eyewall. In the centre, air from high altitudes sinks down. This sinking air (subsidence) warms up and prevents cloud formation, creating a deceptively tranquil area amidst the violent storm.
5. How are hurricanes classified? Explain the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Hurricanes are classified based on their maximum sustained wind speed using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This scale categorises hurricanes from 1 to 5 to estimate potential property damage.
- Category 1: 74-95 mph (Very dangerous winds will produce some damage)
- Category 2: 96-110 mph (Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage)
- Category 3: 111-129 mph (Devastating damage will occur)
- Category 4: 130-156 mph (Catastrophic damage will occur)
- Category 5: 157 mph or higher (Catastrophic damage will occur, most structures destroyed)
6. What are the main destructive effects associated with a hurricane?
The primary destructive effects of a hurricane are:
- Storm Surge: An abnormal rise of water generated by the storm's winds, which can cause extreme flooding in coastal areas. This is often the greatest threat to life and property.
- High Winds: Sustained winds and powerful gusts can destroy buildings, uproot trees, and turn loose debris into dangerous projectiles.
- Heavy Rainfall: Hurricanes can dump immense amounts of rain, leading to widespread inland flooding, landslides, and river overflows long after the storm has passed the coast.
- Tornadoes: Hurricanes can also spawn tornadoes, which add another layer of concentrated, destructive power.
7. What are some important safety measures to take during a hurricane warning?
As per the guidelines for the 2025-26 season, if a hurricane warning is issued for your area, you should:
- Stay Informed: Monitor official news and weather updates from reliable sources.
- Secure Your Home: Board up windows and bring loose outdoor items like furniture and decorations inside.
- Prepare an Emergency Kit: Have a kit with water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, medications, a flashlight, batteries, and a whistle.
- Follow Evacuation Orders: If authorities issue an evacuation order, leave immediately. The storm surge can be life-threatening.
- Find Shelter: If not evacuating, stay indoors in a small, interior room on the lowest level that isn't at risk of flooding. Stay away from windows and doors.
8. Why do hurricanes rotate in different directions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
The direction of a hurricane's rotation is determined by the Coriolis effect, which is a result of the Earth's rotation.
- In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect deflects moving air to the right, causing hurricanes to rotate counter-clockwise.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, it deflects air to the left, causing them to rotate clockwise.
9. What is the difference between a hurricane and a tornado?
While both are violent rotating storms, hurricanes and tornadoes have key differences:
- Size and Duration: Hurricanes are massive, hundreds of kilometres wide, and can last for days or weeks. Tornadoes are much smaller, rarely more than a kilometre wide, and usually last for minutes.
- Formation: Hurricanes form exclusively over warm ocean waters. Tornadoes typically form over land and are often associated with severe thunderstorms (which can sometimes be spawned by a hurricane).
- Warning Time: Hurricanes can be tracked for days, allowing for significant warning. Tornadoes form much more rapidly, often with only minutes of warning.
