We commonly have various questions about Hurricane and Typhoon like, What’s the difference between Hurricane and Typhoon? Are they same or different? What’s their location? Are they equally destructive? And many more..
In this blog we will try to answer many such questions and try to resolve most of the confusions associated with them. To start with we need to understand that it may be hurricane or typhoon, they are nothing but a type of tropical storms. The difference between a hurricane and a typhoon is primarily in their location. Both are types of tropical cyclones—large, intense storms that form over warm ocean waters with strong winds, heavy rain, and a characteristic rotating structure.
What are Tropical storms?
Tropical storms are powerful, rotating weather systems that form over warm ocean waters in tropical or subtropical regions. These storms are characterized by strong winds, heavy rain, and a well-organized structure. When fully developed, they can produce huge waves, storm surges, and widespread flooding, posing a serious threat to coastal communities.
Formation of Tropical Storms
Tropical storms begin as thunderstorms over warm ocean areas where sea surface temperatures are usually above 26.5°C (80°F). They go through several stages of development:
1. Tropical Disturbance: A group of storms formed by atmospheric instability, often influenced by wind patterns or atmospheric waves.
2. Tropical Depression: As the disturbance becomes more organized, it acquires a rotating structure and sustained winds of less than 39 mph.
3. Tropical Storm: When winds reach 39 mph or faster, the system is classified as a tropical storm. At this point, it receives an official name.
4. Hurricane, Typhoon, or Cyclone: When winds reach 74 mph, the storm becomes a hurricane, typhoon, or cyclone, depending on its location.
Warm, moist air rises and cools over the ocean surface, releasing heat and forming clouds. This rising air is constantly replaced by surrounding air, creating a cycle of increasing storm intensity. As the storm gains strength, it develops a “warm core” structure with an eye centered around it, around which the strongest winds and heavy rainfall occur.
Hurricane vs Typhoon
1. Region of origin :
Hurricanes and typhoons are actually the same type of storm, differs depending on the region in which they form. These regional names are used to help classify tropical cyclones in specific ocean basins.
A storm is called a hurricane if it originates in the Atlantic Ocean or the Northeastern Pacific Ocean (mainly affecting North America, the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, the eastern United States, and Mexico’s Pacific coast.). In contrast, it’s called a typhoon when it develops in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean (affecting the Philippines, Japan, China, Taiwan, and parts of South Korea).
2. Naming as per location :
Tropical cyclones are called by different names based on regional language and the practices of the weather agency. For example:
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is responsible for tracking and naming these storms in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific regions.
While naming and monitoring for typhoons are handled by regional meteorological agencies, such as the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration).
3. Season:
Hurricane seasons differ in Atlantic and eastern Pacific regions. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with peak activity in September. The Eastern Pacific season is slightly earlier, from May 15 to November 30.
While, Typhoons can form year-round but are at their peak from May to October, especially in late summer.
4. Intensity scale:
Hurricanes and typhoons are measured using intensity scales that help predict their damage potential based on sustained wind speeds. While both scales serve similar purposes.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is used to classify hurricanes in 1 to 5 category as per their wind speed and damage caused. Each category provides information about potential damage and effects on infrastructure, allowing officials and the public to measure the severity of a storm. However, the Saffir-Simpson scale does not consider other factors such as rainfall or storm surge, focusing only on wind speed.
Typhoon Intensity Scale is measured by The Regional Classification System. In the northwest Pacific, typhoons are classified by different meteorological agencies such as the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). While there is no unified scale for typhoons, there are common classifications based on constant wind speed.
As Typhoon Intensity Scale differs in each region there is no specific category used to measure the wind speed. Instead key terms are used to identify their intensity., eg. “super typhoon” is used to emphasize the highest intensities of typhoon.
5. Impact and Damage caused:
Hurricanes often produce catastrophic storm surges, with winds pushing seawater over land causing water levels around coast to rise significantly. For example, Hurricane Katrina (2005) produced storm surges of up to 28 feet in some areas. Hurricanes commonly weakens quickly when moves inland, reducing wind damage but causing widespread flooding with heavy rainfall.
While, Typhoons tend to lead catastrophic flooding as they often bring heavy rainfall to areas already prone to monsoons. East Asia’s large landmass allows typhoons to stay over land longer, making their destructive effects inland. Super Typhoon Haiyan (2013) caused widespread destruction and storm surges up to 20 feet in the Philippines.
They both have similar types of damage like strong winds destroying buildings, uprooting trees and vandalizing infrastructures. They both cause almost same impacts like coastal flooding, torrential rains leading to flash floods, over flowing rivers which can show prolonged effects.
In developed country like United States hurricanes cause damage of billions of dollar but well funded disaster management systems mitigates long term impacts. But compared with Typhoon which affects low income and developing countries in Asia have underfunded disaster response system, storms causes downfall of agricultural economies and increasing financial burden.
6. Climate Change Effects:
Climate change intensifies impacts of both typhoons and hurricanes, but specific impacts may vary due to regional geographic and climatic factors. Warmer sea fuels impacts of hurricane. E.g., Hurricanes like Harvey (2017) and Irma (2017) intensified rapidly due to exceptionally warm ocean waters. The Atlantic basin has shown escalated hurricane activities over past decades partly due to to warmer waters. The Western Pacific Ocean is widespread which increases heat absorption making Typhoons more stronger and larger. E.g., Super Typhoon Haiyan (2013), one of the strongest storms on record, was fueled by unusually warm waters. Thus its analyzed that broader Western Pacific Ocean with warmer water may lead to “Super Typhoons”.
Rising sea levels will aggravate impacts like flooding which will cause higher number of deaths and property damages.
To conclude with we understood that the difference between hurricanes and typhoons is not just about their names, but also about appreciating the diversity of natural phenomena on our planet. Although they are scientifically the same – tropical cyclones – their regional names reflect the cultural, geographic and meteorological distinctiveness of the areas they affect.
By recognizing how these storms are named and classified, we not only gain insight into global climate systems, but also emphasize the shared challenges facing communities around the world in preparing for and responding to these powerful natural events. Whether they are called hurricanes or typhoons, these storms remind us of our collective vulnerability to the forces of nature and the importance of global cooperation to address climate change and enhance disaster resilience.
So, the next time you hear about a hurricane or typhoon, remember: The name may be different, but the strength of the storm—and its potential impact—remains universal.
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