Weather – types of cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons

Differences between hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons

Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons

New Zealand is subject occasionally to cyclones which come down from the tropics. Cyclone Bola was the most destructive one in recent history – 1988.

The only difference between a cyclone and a hurricane is the direction in which it rotates. Hurricanes rotate counter clockwise and happen in the Northern Hemisphere. Hurricanes and cyclones build strength over the sea but weaken once they strike land because their supply of moist air is cut off and the friction between the storm and the earth slows the system.

For a post about clouds, click here