Natural Phenomenon
Differences: HURRICANE => CYCLONE => TYPHOON
Name: _______________
Date: ________________
What is the difference between a Hurricane and a Typhoon?
Nothing except geography. Tropical storms occur in several of the world's oceans, and except for
their names, they are essentially the same type of storm. In the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and
the Eastern Pacific Ocean, they are called hurricanes. In the Western Pacific Ocean, they are
called typhoons. In the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and Australia, these types of storms are
called cyclones. (www.weatherwizkids.com)
What is the Difference Between a Hurricane and a Typhoon
According to the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, a “hurricane”
and a “typhoon” are simply different names for a “tropical cyclone.” As a general rule,
these cyclones are given the name “hurricane” in the Western hemisphere (the North
Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Pacific Ocean east of the dateline, or the South Pacific
Ocean east of 160E), and the term “typhoon” is applied in the Eastern hemisphere (the
Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline).
That said, there are even further distinctions throughout the world. The term “severe tropical
cyclone” is given in the Southwest Pacific Ocean west of 160E or Southeast Indian Ocean
east of 90E. The term “severe cyclonic storm” is given in the North Indian Ocean. And the
term “tropical cyclone” is given in the Southwest Indian Ocean.
When the maximum sustained surface winds of a tropical cyclone is less than 39 miles per
hour (34 kt, 17 m/s), it is referred to as a “tropical depression.” In the area between this 39
mph (34 kt, 17 m/s) mark and 74 mph (64 kt, 33 m/s), it is known as a “tropical storm.” And
then, of course, as it reaches the 74 mph mark (64 kt, 33 m/s), it becomes classified as a
hurricane,
typhoon,
or
one
of
the
other
names
mentioned
above.
(www.hurricanecenter.com)
Answer:
1. According to the first article, which places the tropical storm is called hurricanes?
2. According to the first article, which places the tropical storm is called typhoons?
3. According to the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, what are
the “hurricane” and a “typhoon” ?
4. How many miles per hour is a tropical depression?
5. How many miles per hour is a tropical storm?
6. How many miles per hour is a typhoon?