Tropical Storms: Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones

Overview

• Tropical Storms: Commonly known as hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons.
• Naming Differences:
  • Hurricanes: North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific Oceans, affects Caribbean islands and the US.
  • Cyclones: South Pacific and Indian Oceans.
  • Typhoons: Northwestern Pacific Ocean.

Formation

• Initial Stage: Starts with rain showers and weak thunderstorms.
• Warm Water Influence:
  • Warm waters heat the air, causing it to rise.
  • Rising air cools, leading to more warm air rising and forming a wind spiral.
• Wind Speeds: Spiral winds exceed 117 kmph, fueling the storm.
• Dissipation: Occurs when storms hit cooler water or land.

Classification

• Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: Categorizes storms based on wind speed.
  • Category 1:
    • Wind speeds up to 153 kmph.
    • Considered dangerous with some damage.
  • Category 2:
    • Wind speeds up to 177 kmph.
    • Extensive damage.
  • Category 3 and Above: Major hurricanes.
    • Category 3: Up to 208 kmph.
    • Category 4: Up to 251 kmph.
    • Devastating damage when making landfall.
  • Category 5:
    • Winds over 252 kmph.
    • Catastrophic destruction.

Geographic and Seasonal Patterns

• Cyclones:
  • Affect African and Asian countries.
  • Form between November and April.
• Typhoons:
  • Affect Far Eastern countries like Japan and the Philippines.
  • Form mainly from May to October but can occur year-round.

Naming of Storms

• Purpose: Easier identification.
• Naming Process:
  • Conducted by weather scientists annually in each region.
  • Names are chosen alphabetically.
• Retirement of Names: Exceptionally destructive storms have their names retired and are not reused.