A hurricane and a typhoon are both tropical storms, but they have different names depending on where they form. A hurricane forms in the Atlantic Ocean or Northeast Pacific Ocean, while a typhoon forms in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. They both have similar wind speeds and can cause damage to coastal areas, but hurricanes are larger and more powerful. In the Philippines, a typhoon is called a bag.
What is Hurricane?
A hurricane is a powerful tropical cyclone that typically forms over the ocean. Hurricanes usually form between June and November, and they often affect coastal areas. Hurricane winds can reach speeds of up to 155 miles per hour, and the storm surge can cause coastal flooding. Hurricane rainfall can also be very heavy, causing flash flooding and mudslides. Hurricane damage is often caused by high winds and flooding, and the storm can also knock out power, damaged buildings, and uproot trees. Hurricane preparedness is essential for people who live in coastal areas, as hurricanes can cause significant damage and disrupt lives.
What is Typhoon?
- Typhoon is a term used to describe a tropical cyclone that forms in the Pacific Ocean. Typhoons typically form between May and November and can cause heavy rains, strong winds, and storm surges. While typhoons can occur anywhere in the Pacific, they are most common in Asia, where they often cause widespread damage and loss of life.
- Typhoon season in Asia typically runs from June to December, with the peak period occurring between August and October. Typhoon activity typically begins to increase in May as the ocean warms, and it generally reaches its peak in September or October before dissipating in November or December. Typhoon activity can also vary from year to year, with some years seeing more typhoons than others.
- The number of typhoons that form each year is largely dependent on the strength of the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. When ENSO is in its warm phase (known as El Nino), there is increased typhoon activity due to the increased sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. The opposite is true during the cold phase of ENSO (known as La Nina) when there is decreased typhoon activity.
Difference between Hurricane and Typhoon
- Hurricanes and typhoons are both tropical cyclones that form over warm ocean waters. hurricanes form over the Atlantic Ocean and Northeast Pacific Ocean while typhoons form over the northwest Pacific Ocean. Hurricane is the name given to a tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or more in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
- Typhoon is the name given to a tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or more in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The main difference between Hurricane and Typhoon is that Hurricane blows from east to west while Typhoon blows from west to east. Hurricane arises due to low atmospheric pressure while Typhoon arises due to high atmospheric pressure. Hurricane has an eye in their center while a typhoon does not have an eye in its center.
- Hurricane can transform into a typhoon by crossing the International Dateline from east to west. Hurricane season in the Atlantic is June 1st-November 30th while Typhoon season in the northwest Pacific is May 15th-November 30th. Hurricanes can be only up to 380 miles wide while typhoon can be up to 1500 miles wide. Hurricane lasts for days while Typhoon lasts for weeks.
Conclusion
Although the two storms are often confused for one another, there is a big difference between a hurricane and a typhoon. Knowing the key factors that set these storms apart can help you stay safe when one threatens your area.
