Storm science
Hurricane vs typhoon vs cyclone
They're the same thing. Here is why they have three different names, and the specific regional differences.
The definition
All three terms refer to tropical cyclones: rotating storms formed over warm ocean water. The differences are geographical, not physical.
The naming by region
Hurricane
Atlantic, Northeast Pacific (Americas).
Typhoon
Northwest Pacific (China, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Taiwan).
Cyclone
Indian Ocean, South Pacific.
Severe tropical cyclone
Australian region.
Willy-willy
Old Australian slang for cyclone.
Tropical depression / storm
Weaker forms.
The intensity scales
Saffir-Simpson (Atlantic/E Pac)
Cat 1-5 based on wind speed.
Chinese Meteorological Administration
Own scale similar to SS.
Japan Meteorological Agency
Different intensity classifications.
India Meteorological Department
Different terminology.
Australian Bureau of Meteorology
Category 1-5, different thresholds.
Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for South Pacific
RSMC Nadi (Fiji) coordinates.
The Saffir-Simpson scale
- Cat 1: 74-95 mph.
- Cat 2: 96-110 mph.
- Cat 3: 111-129 mph.
- Cat 4: 130-156 mph.
- Cat 5: 157+ mph.
- Sustained winds (1-minute average).
- Applies to Atlantic and Eastern Pacific.
- Other basins use different sustained-wind averaging periods.
Storm basins compared
Atlantic Basin
June 1 - Nov 30 season. About 12-14 named storms/year.
Eastern Pacific
May 15 - Nov 30. About 15-17 named storms/year.
Central Pacific
June 1 - Nov 30. About 4-5 named storms/year.
Western Pacific
Year-round. Most active basin. About 26 named storms/year.
North Indian
April-Dec peak. About 4-6 named storms/year.
South-West Indian
Nov-May. About 9 named storms/year.
Australian Region
Nov-Apr. About 12 named storms/year.
South Pacific
Nov-Apr. About 7 named storms/year.
The naming lists
- Each basin has predetermined name lists.
- Atlantic: 6-year rotation, 21 names each year.
- Some names retired if storm was particularly destructive (Katrina, Sandy, Maria, Michael).
- Names alternate male and female.
- Naming began in 1953 in Atlantic.
- Different regions use different name lists reflecting local languages.
- Some regions (Northern Indian) name storms differently.
The eye
The eye is the calm center of a tropical cyclone.
- Diameter: typically 20-40 miles.
- Can be 5-200 miles.
- Calm winds, sometimes blue sky above.
- Surrounded by eyewall — most extreme winds and rain.
- Only major hurricanes/typhoons/cyclones have well-defined eyes.
- Eye pressure is the storm's intensity measure.
Landfall differences by region
Atlantic (US)
Well-warned. Good building codes since Andrew (1992).
Caribbean
Variable code quality. Historic vulnerability.
Philippines
Frequent landfalls. Mountain terrain creates flooding.
Japan
Well-warned. Good infrastructure. Some intense storms.
Bangladesh
Extreme fatality potential from surge flooding.
Australia
Well-warned. Modern building codes.
Madagascar
Vulnerable. Limited infrastructure.
Mozambique
Frequent Indian Ocean cyclones. Vulnerable.
The deadliest tropical cyclones
- 1970 Bhola Cyclone (Bangladesh) — 300,000-500,000 dead. Deadliest ever.
- 1876 Bangladesh — 200,000+ dead.
- 1737 Calcutta — 300,000+ dead.
- 1881 Haiphong Typhoon (Vietnam) — 300,000 dead.
- 1839 India — 300,000 dead.
- 2008 Nargis (Myanmar) — 138,000 dead.
- 2013 Haiyan (Philippines) — 6,300 dead.
- 2017 Maria (Puerto Rico) — 2,975 dead.
- 1900 Galveston (US) — 6,000-12,000 dead.
- 2005 Katrina (US) — 1,833 dead.
The strongest ever
- Typhoon Tip (1979, W Pacific) — 870 mb. Largest ever.
- Hurricane Wilma (2005, Atlantic) — 882 mb. Atlantic record.
- Hurricane Patricia (2015, E Pacific) — 872 mb. E Pacific record.
- Cyclone Yasi (2011, Australia) — Cat 5 landfall.
- Typhoon Haiyan (2013) — Cat 5 with peak sustained 195 mph.
For visitors traveling to different regions
- Know local warning terminology.
- Learn intensity thresholds — different scales.
- Know local emergency response.
- Know evacuation routes.
- Consider travel insurance.
- Register with home consulate.
- Track storms on multiple sources.
- Regional apps differ.