If you live in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central America, or the Caribbean, you catch plenty of news stories about hurricanes during the annual Atlantic hurricane season.
Many of these cross the Atlantic Basin from Africa, while others form in the Gulf of Mexico.
If you read international weather headlines, you also hear a lot about typhoons each year.
So, what’s the difference?
Let’s dive in and find out what is meant when a storm is designated as a hurricane or a typhoon.
Hurricane vs. Typhoon
Hurricanes and typhoons are both tropical cyclones — rotating, organized systems of clouds and thunderstorms that originate over tropical or subtropical ocean waters (determined by ocean temperatures) and have closed, low-level circulation.
• The weakest tropical cyclones, tropical depressions, have sustained wind speeds of less than 39 mph.
• Once a tropical cyclone forms and reaches a wind speed of 39 mph, it becomes a tropical storm.
• When maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, the cyclone is classified as either a hurricane or a typhoon.
What Is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a tropical storm that achieves 74 mph sustained winds in the North Atlantic Ocean, central North Pacific, or eastern North Pacific — all regions in the Northern Hemisphere.
What Is a Typhoon?
A typhoon is a tropical storm that achieves 74 mph sustained winds in the Northwest Pacific.
On rare occasions, hurricanes form in the South Atlantic and impact South America.
Wind speeds vary within a cyclone depending on the height at which they are measured. Vertical wind shear is the change in wind speed and direction with height in the atmosphere.
So, what name is used in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean in the Southern Hemisphere? The generic term “tropical cyclone” is used, regardless of the strength of the wind.
Difference Between a Typhoon and a Hurricane
Going back to hurricanes and typhoons, then, the only difference between them boils down to nothing more than their location.
They are both exactly the same weather phenomenon.
The term hurricane and the term typhoon are equivalent in terms of their characteristics, but different in terms of their location.
Whether your region is awaiting the arrival of a typhoon or a hurricane, you need to remember that the same dangers of strong winds, heavy rain, and potential flooding and mudslides exist.
Location is the only typhoon and hurricane difference.
The Power of Preparedness
Ensure your family is protected in the face of unexpected challenges with our Disaster Preparedness Guide.
Topics Include:
— Family Communication Plan
— Evacuation Plans
— Care for Pets
— Weather Monitoring
Download Our Disaster Preparedness Guide!
Start your journey to preparedness now and download the guide to learn practical steps for facing any disaster confidently.
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Are Typhoons Stronger Than Hurricanes?
No. But they are measured on different scales.
• In the Atlantic Ocean and northern Pacific Ocean east of the International Date Line, the Saffir-Simpson scale is used to measure hurricane wind speed.
• For typhoons, the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee uses four separate classifications.
Some people are confused about the spelling of typhoon. This is because an alternate spelling of typhon is used in some places. Typhoon is much more common.
You’ve probably seen different names for hurricanes and typhoons.
When you hear a name connected with a major Atlantic storm, it comes from a list originated and recycled every six years by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
A name is retired and replaced when a storm with that name causes extreme property damage and loss of life.
Typhoon names are selected from a predetermined list maintained by the World Meteorological Organization, with each region contributing names relevant to their culture and geography, and the names are used sequentially from the list when a typhoon forms; if a typhoon is particularly destructive, its name is retired and replaced with a new one.
What Is a Super Typhoon?
Perhaps you’ve read about a super typhoon and wondered what sets that storm apart from other typhoons.
A super typhoon is a typhoon with sustained surface-wind strength of at least 150 mph.
On the Saffir-Simpson scale, a major hurricane is a hurricane rated Category 3, 4, or 5.
• Category 3 storms have wind speeds of 111-129 mph.
• Category 4 storms bump that up to 130-156 mph (entering super typhoon strength).
• Category 5 hurricanes have winds of 157 mph, with no upper limit.
Super Typhoon Odette in December 2021 hit the Philippines, causing over $1 billion in damage.
The National Hurricane Center is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. You can visit their website for multiple updates on a developing cyclone in the Atlantic and Central Pacific.
If you live in a region prone to typhoons, check out the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
The most important thing to remember, if you are in the path of a hurricane or typhoon, is to take all issued warnings very seriously. If an evacuation is called for, pack up essentials and make the journey to a safe zone.
The most dangerous storms can only harm you if you remain in their path.
The Power of Preparedness
Ensure your family is protected in the face of unexpected challenges with our Disaster Preparedness Guide.
Topics Include:
— Family Communication Plan
— Evacuation Plans
— Care for Pets
— Weather Monitoring
Download Our Disaster Preparedness Guide!
Start your journey to preparedness now and download the guide to learn practical steps for facing any disaster confidently.
“*” indicates required fields
"*" indicates required fields
