When powerful storms like Typhoon Kalmaegi and Typhoon Fong-Wong barrel through Asia, one question often resurfaces — what’s the difference between a hurricane , a cyclone , and a typhoon? The short answer: they’re all the same kind of storm, but with different names depending on where they form.
What’s in a name?
These storms are all tropical cyclones — rotating, organised systems of clouds and thunderstorms that originate over warm tropical oceans. The distinction lies in geography.
A tropical system earns a name once its winds reach 39 mph (63 kph), classifying it as a tropical storm. When sustained winds hit 74 mph (119 kph), it becomes a hurricane, typhoon, or cyclone, depending on the region.
There are five strength categories, with Category 5 storms boasting winds above 155 mph (249 kph). Australia uses a slightly different classification scale.
Typhoon Kalmaegi, which recently struck the Philippines and Vietnam, reached peak winds of 132 mph (213 kph), putting it among the stronger storms this season. Historically, Hurricane Patricia (2015) holds the record for the highest winds, while Typhoon Tip (1979) recorded the lowest atmospheric pressure — a crucial indicator of storm intensity.
Why do they spin differently?
The Earth’s rotation determines how tropical cyclones spin.
The world’s storm hotspot The northwest Pacific Ocean — where Kalmaegi formed — is the planet’s busiest region for tropical cyclones. Warm waters, weak upper-level winds, and frequent thunderstorms create ideal storm-breeding conditions, explains Kristen Corbosiero, an atmospheric scientist at the University at Albany.
By early November, the region usually sees 23 named storms, 14 of which intensify into typhoons. This year’s tally — 27 named storms, including Kalmaegi and Fong-Wong — is slightly higher than average, though overall intensity has been lower. Meteorologists measure season strength by combining storm frequency, duration, and intensity; this season’s activity is only 62% of the long-term average.
For comparison, the Atlantic Ocean typically experiences 14 named storms each year. This season has seen 13, with Hurricane Melissa among the most destructive.
The global trigger: Madden–Julian Oscillation
Storm formation in the northwest Pacific is often influenced by a travelling weather pattern known as the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). Originating near the Indian Ocean, this system moves eastward across the tropics every 30–60 days, enhancing rainfall and storminess ahead of it.
A strong MJO recently moved through the Pacific, helping trigger the latest storms, Corbosiero said. The same oscillation is now nearing the international dateline and could influence late-season storm formation in the Atlantic within the next two weeks.
Who names these storms?
Names are managed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and vary by region to reflect local familiarity. When a storm causes catastrophic damage or loss of life, its name is permanently retired — as happened with Katrina in 2005.
The Philippines, however, maintains its own naming system, so Typhoon Kalmaegi is also known locally as Tino.
Whether called a hurricane, typhoon, or cyclone, these storms are part of the same meteorological family. Their differences lie in geography, seasonality, and local naming conventions — but their impact, as seen with Kalmaegi’s devastation across Southeast Asia, is universally destructive.
What’s in a name?
These storms are all tropical cyclones — rotating, organised systems of clouds and thunderstorms that originate over warm tropical oceans. The distinction lies in geography.
- Hurricanes occur in the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and parts of the Pacific.
- Typhoons form in the northwest Pacific.
- Cyclones develop in the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the southwest Indian Ocean.
In the southwestern Pacific and southeastern Indian Ocean, they are often termed severe tropical cyclones.
A tropical system earns a name once its winds reach 39 mph (63 kph), classifying it as a tropical storm. When sustained winds hit 74 mph (119 kph), it becomes a hurricane, typhoon, or cyclone, depending on the region.
There are five strength categories, with Category 5 storms boasting winds above 155 mph (249 kph). Australia uses a slightly different classification scale.
Typhoon Kalmaegi, which recently struck the Philippines and Vietnam, reached peak winds of 132 mph (213 kph), putting it among the stronger storms this season. Historically, Hurricane Patricia (2015) holds the record for the highest winds, while Typhoon Tip (1979) recorded the lowest atmospheric pressure — a crucial indicator of storm intensity.
Why do they spin differently?
The Earth’s rotation determines how tropical cyclones spin.
- North of the equator, they rotate counterclockwise.
- South of the equator, they spin clockwise.
- Atlantic and Central Pacific: June 1 – November 30
- Eastern Pacific: May 15 – November 30
- Northwest Pacific: Almost year-round, peaking from May to November
- South Pacific and Australia: November – April
- Bay of Bengal: Two main windows, April–June and September–November
The world’s storm hotspot The northwest Pacific Ocean — where Kalmaegi formed — is the planet’s busiest region for tropical cyclones. Warm waters, weak upper-level winds, and frequent thunderstorms create ideal storm-breeding conditions, explains Kristen Corbosiero, an atmospheric scientist at the University at Albany.
By early November, the region usually sees 23 named storms, 14 of which intensify into typhoons. This year’s tally — 27 named storms, including Kalmaegi and Fong-Wong — is slightly higher than average, though overall intensity has been lower. Meteorologists measure season strength by combining storm frequency, duration, and intensity; this season’s activity is only 62% of the long-term average.
For comparison, the Atlantic Ocean typically experiences 14 named storms each year. This season has seen 13, with Hurricane Melissa among the most destructive.
The global trigger: Madden–Julian Oscillation
Storm formation in the northwest Pacific is often influenced by a travelling weather pattern known as the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). Originating near the Indian Ocean, this system moves eastward across the tropics every 30–60 days, enhancing rainfall and storminess ahead of it.
A strong MJO recently moved through the Pacific, helping trigger the latest storms, Corbosiero said. The same oscillation is now nearing the international dateline and could influence late-season storm formation in the Atlantic within the next two weeks.
Who names these storms?
Names are managed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and vary by region to reflect local familiarity. When a storm causes catastrophic damage or loss of life, its name is permanently retired — as happened with Katrina in 2005.
The Philippines, however, maintains its own naming system, so Typhoon Kalmaegi is also known locally as Tino.
Whether called a hurricane, typhoon, or cyclone, these storms are part of the same meteorological family. Their differences lie in geography, seasonality, and local naming conventions — but their impact, as seen with Kalmaegi’s devastation across Southeast Asia, is universally destructive.
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