Tropical Cyclones of the World - Cause & Different Names around the world- General Knowledge

Tropical cyclones are known by different names in different parts of the world

Cyclone names in different part of the world

Hurricanes (Atlantic), Tropical Cyclones (South East Asia), Willy Willies (Australia) and Typhoons (Pacific).

1. They are called Cyclones or depressions in the Bay of Bengal, 
2. Hurricanes in the Caribbean Sea,
3. Typhoons in China and Japan and 
4. Willy-willy in Australia.

What are Tropical Storms?

Tropical Storms are areas of extreme low pressure. This means air is rising, causing 'low pressure' on the earth's surface. The maximum sustained surface wind speed ranges from 34 knots (39 mph or 63 kph) to 63 knots (73 mph or 118 kph).

How do Tropical Storms occur?

Tropical Storms start within 8º and 15º north and south of the equator where surface sea temperatures reach 27ºC. The air above the warm sea is heated and rises. This causes low pressure. 

As the air rises it cools then condenses, forming clouds. Air around the weather system rushes in to fill the gap caused by the rising air. The air begins to spiral. This is caused by the spinning movement of the earth. 

The weather system generates heat which powers the storm, causing wind speeds to increase. This causes the Tropical Storm to sustain itself. Tropical storms rely on plenty of warm, moist air from the sea - this is why they die out over land.

Drawing energy from the sea surface and maintaining its strength as long as it remains over warm water, a tropical cyclone generates winds that exceed 119 km (74 miles) per hour. In extreme cases winds may exceed 240 km (150 miles) per hour, and gusts may surpass 320 km (200 miles) per hour. Accompanying these strong winds are torrential rains and a devastating phenomenon known as the storm surge, an elevation of the sea surface that can reach 6 metres (20 feet) above normal levels. Such a combination of high winds and water makes cyclones a serious hazard for coastal areas in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Every year during the late summer months (July–September in the Northern Hemisphere and January–March in the Southern Hemisphere), cyclones strike regions as far apart as the Gulf Coast of North America, north western Australia, and eastern India and Bangladesh.

The weather conditions associated with a tropical cyclone:

1.         When there is a tropical cyclone the air is still, but the temperature and the humidity are high. There is sudden drop in air pressure.

2.         When the front of the vortex arrives, there are strong winds and thick clouds, then the winds become violent with great speed. Dense clouds and heavy rain reduce visibility.

3.         The eye of the cyclone heralds a calm condition.

4.         When the rear of the vortex arrives, there are violent winds, thick clouds and heavy rain. The wind blows in the opposite direction.

Why Different Names are given to Cyclones around the world? Are they different?

In the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean north of the equator, the storms are called "cyclones." They are also called "cyclones" south of the equator in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the Pacific Ocean, the same storms are called "hurricanes" if they form east of the International Date Line and north of the equator. Staying north of the equator and going west of the International Date Line, that lies west of Hawaii, the storms are called "typhoons."

The storms are referred to as hurricanes for the entire Atlantic Ocean, although only one hurricane has ever been reported south of the equator.

So, what's the difference between hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones?
The answer is nothing. Collectively, they are called "tropical cyclones" and they are all equally destructive. South of the equator they spin clockwise instead of the counter-clockwise we are used to in north of the equator, but even still they are just as dangerous. 

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