cyclone

A cyclone is a large-scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure.

Cyclones are formed over warm ocean waters when the heat and moisture from the sea surface fuel their development.

These terms refer to the same weather phenomenon, but are used in different regions - hurricane in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, typhoon in the western Pacific, and cyclone in the Indian Ocean.

Cyclones are categorized based on their wind speed, with different scales like the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale used to classify them.

The lifespan of a cyclone can vary widely - from a few days to several weeks, depending on environmental conditions.

Advances in meteorology and technology have allowed for more accurate prediction of cyclones, helping to mitigate their impact through early warnings.

Cyclones can bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, and flooding, causing damage to infrastructure and posing risks to human life.

While most cyclones originate over oceans due to the warm water providing energy, they can also move over land and weaken as they lose their heat source.

Cyclones are named by different meteorological organizations around the world following specific naming lists, often alternating between male and female names.

There is scientific consensus that climate change is likely contributing to an increase in the intensity of tropical cyclones, though more research is needed to fully understand this relationship.