Hurricane and typhoon are essentially the same meteorological phenomenon – a tropical cyclone – but are named differently depending on where they form and whom they affect. In the Atlantic Ocean and the northeastern Pacific, we use the name “hurricane,” while in the western North Pacific, the same type of storm is called a “typhoon.” In the Indian Ocean, along the coast of Australia, and in the South Pacific, you will most commonly hear simply “tropical cyclone.” The terminological difference often confuses the public, but the physical mechanisms, cloud structure, and winds that give these systems their destructive power are the same.

How a tropical cyclone forms: the common “recipe” for a hurricane and a typhoon

For a hurricane or typhoon to form, several conditions must align. The most important are sufficiently warm sea water (approximately above 26–27 °C through a considerable depth of the water column), high air humidity in the tropical troposphere, and weak vertical wind shear so that the seed of convection is not “torn apart” at higher altitudes. In addition, an initial perturbation is needed – for example, a wave in the trade wind current or the remnant of a frontal disturbance – that can “turn” the low-level circulation. When the system organizes and the low-level circulation closes, meteorologists speak of a tropical depression; when sustained winds reach the storm threshold, it becomes a tropical storm, and thereafter a hurricane or typhoon.

Where what is called what: maps of basins and terminology

Our journalistic practice often includes mapping the basins where tropical storms develop and how local services name them. In the Atlantic Ocean and the northeastern Pacific, the term “hurricane” is standard in communications. The western North Pacific – a vast expanse from the Philippines to Japan and the Mariana Islands – is home to “typhoons.” The central and northwestern Indian Ocean, as well as the southern Indian Ocean and the coral belt of the South Pacific, rely on the name “tropical cyclone.” Although the words are different, the criteria for intensity classification are harmonized through international rules, and operational agencies share information in real time.

Scales and thresholds: when a storm becomes a “hurricane,” and when a “super typhoon”

In the Atlantic and East Pacific basins, the standard for intensity classification is the Saffir–Simpson scale (categories 1–5), which is based on the maximum sustained wind speed – it does not include precipitation or storm surge. A “major hurricane” is anything from category 3 upwards. In the western North Pacific, the term super typhoon is used for extremely strong systems with very high sustained winds (in the operational practice of the U.S. JTWC, this is the level of a strong category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale). However, it should not be overlooked that even systems below these thresholds can cause catastrophic flash floods and landslides.

Seasons and peaks: why the “typhoon season” does not have a strict calendar

In the Atlantic, the formal season lasts from June 1 to November 30, with a peak in August–October. In the western North Pacific, where we talk about typhoons, storms are possible throughout the year, although the statistical maximum is from late summer to late autumn. In practice, local sea surface temperature anomalies, the interaction of trade winds and upper-level currents, and regional patterns like the monsoon trough determine when a wave of convection will “explode” into an organized cyclone.

How storms are named: lists of names and regional peculiarities

Names for tropical cyclones are predetermined in rotating lists by basin, with the participation of national meteorological services. When a storm is exceptionally deadly or costly, its name is retired and replaced with a new one. In the western Pacific, there is a peculiarity – the Philippine service PAGASA applies its own list for systems entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility, so one storm can have an international name and simultaneously a “local” name recognizable to the public in the Philippines. In the Atlantic, the lists are managed by a regional body within the framework of international meteorological cooperation; names are rotated in six-year cycles.

Hurricane vs. typhoon: similarities in structure, differences on the map

An eye with clear skies and strong subsidence, an eyewall with the strongest winds and precipitation, spiral rainbands, a warm-core system, and latent heat as “fuel” – these are all features of both hurricanes and typhoons. The differences that the media often highlight are actually geographical: which sea feeds the storm and which agency is responsible for warnings. Because of this, reporting standards – for example, the use of a one-minute average wind versus a ten-minute one – can vary, so figures from different institutions may not seem “comparable” without conversion.

How dangerous they are: storm surge, flooding, and the interior of continents

Public focus is often on the wind, but the greatest danger to human lives comes from the storm surge – the rise in sea level under the influence of cyclonic pressure and wind – and extreme rainfall. The geography of the coast, shallow bay waters, and terrain slopes determine how far the surge will penetrate inland. In the interior, even when the storm weakens significantly, orographic enhancement of precipitation on mountains can cause devastating floods hundreds of kilometers from the coast. That is why understanding hydrology is as important as monitoring satellite images of the “eye.”

ENSO, La Niña, and El Niño: why some basins “intensify” while others “quiet down”

Periodic changes in the tropical Pacific, known collectively as ENSO, redistribute the “cards” between basins. El Niño typically reduces the number and intensity of storms in the Atlantic by increasing shear, but at the same time, it can foster stronger activity over the central and eastern Pacific. La Niña, on the other hand, often “unlocks” the Atlantic by reducing shear, while the western Pacific and Australasia can enter periods of above-average activity. However, nature is variable: weak, late, or short-lived ENSO pulses can leave a season “below expectations” despite forecasts, so operational warnings are always based on weekly and monthly observations of the ocean-atmosphere system.

Climate change and tropical cyclones: what the science says

The most robust signal that stands out in scientific reviews is the increase in precipitation intensity and a larger proportion of very high-category storms in a warmer world. The reasons are physically intuitive: a warmer sea provides more latent heat, and a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor, which enhances showery processes around the cyclone's core. In addition, rising sea levels increase the exposure of coasts to storm surges. The total number of storms globally may not systematically increase, and in some basins it may even decrease, but the proportion of the strongest episodes and the potential for precipitation extremes are growing. These are trends that security planning must take into account today.

How winds are measured and why “one number” is not always the same

When you read a report from one agency and see a maximum sustained wind of, for example, 115 knots, keep in mind the averaging period used. Some institutions use a 1-minute average (for example, in the operational bulletins of the U.S. service for the western Pacific), while others use a 10-minute average. The difference in methodology means that a seemingly “lower” number does not necessarily indicate a weaker storm, but a longer averaging period. Also, wind gusts – short-term, stronger than sustained winds – in the eyewall zone can exceed the operationally advertised values by 20–30%, depending on the terrain and exposure.

Why the Atlantic season is strictly defined, but the “typhoon season” is not

The Atlantic season has clear start and end dates because the climatology of that basin is so “frequent” – most storms are concentrated in the summer-autumn period when the tropical Atlantic and the Caribbean reach their temperature peak, and tropical wave disturbances from Africa become common. In contrast, the western North Pacific is a “factory” of warmth for almost the entire year, so typhoons can occur even in the winter months. However, even there, the peak is most often from August to October, while late autumn brings systems that turn towards Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

Frequency and distribution: where the greatest “production” of storms is

The western North Pacific generally generates the largest share of tropical cyclones in the world on average over multi-decadal series, while the North Indian Ocean is the least active by number but has extremely vulnerable coastlines and high population density. The Atlantic is high-profile due to its direct impact on the USA, the Caribbean, and Mexico, but global statistics remind us that the Pacific remains the “center of gravity” of tropical activity.

Map of responsibility and institutions: who issues the warnings

In each region, there are Regional Specialized Meteorological Centers and national services that issue bulletins, hourly and daily forecasts, and warnings for ships and land. In the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, this is the Hurricane Center at the U.S. National Weather Service; in the western Pacific, operational products for the general public are issued by both regional centers and the U.S. military meteorological service for the Pacific, and Southeast Asian countries, like the Philippines, also have their own areas of responsibility with parallel storm names. Understanding who the “source” is for your location is crucial for quick action when the weather becomes dangerous.

Terminology and translations: what “storm surge” means, and what “landfall” means

In English-language reporting, it is worth standardizing some terms: storm surge refers to the rise in sea level above astronomical tides, while a wave is an oscillation of the surface due to wind – these are two different phenomena that dangerously combine in cyclones. Landfall is the moment when the center of the cyclone first crosses the coast; the storm can remain extremely dangerous even after that, and a secondary peak of rain often occurs inland due to orography.

Why “slower” storms are sometimes worse: a hydrometeorological paradox

The translation speed of a cyclone determines how long a location endures continuous downpours. Systems that move slowly or “stall” in a field of weak steering currents can release enormous amounts of rain, even if they do not reach peak wind categories. In contrast, very fast storms can bring a more devastating storm surge to the coast, but shorter rainfall episodes inland. In risk assessment, the movement, radius of the storm, structure of spiral bands, and local geomorphology are always combined.

Hurricane or typhoon in numbers: thresholds, categories, and averages

• Tropical storm: sustained winds of about 63–118 km/h (34–63 knots); occurs in all basins with standard names.


• Hurricane / typhoon: threshold of sustained winds of about 119 km/h (64 knots) and higher; after this threshold, categories or local warning levels are used.


• “Major” hurricane: categories 3–5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with the potential for enormous damage to infrastructure.


• Super typhoon: a name reserved for the most intense typhoons in the western North Pacific in the operational bulletins of certain services.

Public safety: what citizens need to know regardless of whether the storm is called a “hurricane” or a “typhoon”

The most important preparation rules are the same in all climates: create a family evacuation plan, prepare supplies of water, food, and medicine for at least 72 hours, secure documents and digital backups, reinforce windows and outdoor objects, and follow official warnings. For flood-prone areas, it is crucial to know evacuation routes and hazard levels from storm surge maps. For the interior of the continent, it is equally important to avoid driving on flooded roads – just 30 centimeters of moving water can move a car. In coastal areas, follow the instructions of port authorities and civil protection for all vessels.

Digital sources and maps: how to read bulletins and models

Operational bulletins generally provide the position of the center, minimum pressure, maximum sustained wind, expected changes in strength, radii of storm-force winds, and the predicted track (cone of uncertainty). It is important to understand that the cone does not show the size of the storm, but the statistical uncertainty in the position of the center. Dangerous weather phenomena can extend far beyond the cone, especially on the “right” side of the motion in the Northern Hemisphere where the wind vector and translation speed add up. Precipitation maps, storm surge forecasts, and local hydrological models are often more crucial for individual locations than the wind category alone.

Why the media must precisely state the time and date

In crisis reporting to the public, the precision of the date and time is crucial. If we write “tomorrow” or “today,” it must correspond to the actual calendar; today's date is October 15, 2025, so all relative markers in this article reflect that reality. This is important so that the reader does not misinterpret the urgency of recommendations or the age of the data.

Hurricane vs. typhoon – keywords for search engines and readers

For readers and SEO alike, it is useful to highlight the following terms: difference between hurricane and typhoon, what is a tropical cyclone, Saffir-Simpson scale, super typhoon, storm surge, rain and floods, ENSO (El Niño / La Niña), track forecast, storm preparation, hurricane season, typhoon in the western Pacific, Atlantic season, weather warnings, and how to read a bulletin. In this guide, these topics are explained through a “hurricane vs. typhoon” comparison, with a focus on safety and risk understanding.

Notes on measurements: miles, knots, and kilometers on one map

In international reports, units are often mixed: the knot (nautical mile per hour) is standard in maritime and aviation contexts, while in public communication it is appropriate to also provide values in km/h. In scientific publications, winds are often converted to m/s as well. Editorial offices processing excerpts from multiple sources should consistently state and perform conversions – for example, 1 knot ≈ 1.852 km/h – so that the reader has a clear picture without getting lost between tables.

Names that are “retired” and why it is done

When a tropical cyclone causes exceptional human and material losses, its name is retired from the list out of respect for the victims and to avoid confusion in future comparisons. This also maintains a collective memory of hazards: shorter and easily pronounceable words that enter the public consciousness become part of public memory, so it is right that we no longer use the most tragic ones in regular rotation.

The role of regional services: the example of the Philippines and dual naming

The Philippines is a specific example where the national service has its own list of names and warning thresholds because the country is often hit by strong typhoons from the western Pacific. Thus, the same storm can simultaneously have an international name and a local Philippine name, which increases the relevance of communication to the population and institutions. This “dual naming” occasionally confuses a global audience but is of extraordinary benefit for local preparedness and data legacy.

Examples from practice: why the category number doesn't tell the whole story

Systems that are not “major” in terms of wind can bring record rainfall, especially when they anchor over topography that forces vertical motion. The media are therefore increasingly careful when using the phrase “only a category one” because such a headline can underestimate the danger of flash floods and landslides. Infrastructure, soil saturation before the storm's arrival, and the state of riverbeds often determine whether the damage will be confined to the coast or will extend deep into the interior.

What newsrooms should monitor in real time

In addition to classic satellite channels (visible, infrared, water vapor) and radar images, it is useful to monitor reanalyses of shear, sea surface temperature and ocean heat content (OHC), the position of the jet stream, and precipitation composites. In the air, reconnaissance flights – when available – provide invaluable insight into the eye pressure, wind profile, and eyewall structure. On land, networks of automatic weather stations, water level gauges, and tide gauges allow for quick confirmation of forecasts and updates to warnings.

Frequently asked questions: short and clear

Is a typhoon the same as a hurricane? Yes – both are tropical cyclones. The difference is in the geographical location and the name the region uses in communication.

What is the difference in classification? The Atlantic and eastern Pacific use the Saffir-Simpson scale (1–5) based on sustained wind. In the western North Pacific, the term “super typhoon” is additionally used for the strongest systems in operational bulletins.

What are the biggest risks? Storm surge on the coast and extreme precipitation inland, often more so than the destructive wind itself.

Why does the same storm have two names? Due to national areas of responsibility – for example, in the Philippines, storms are given an additional, local name for clarity for the population.

Does climate change have an effect? The strongest systems and precipitation extremes are becoming more likely in a warmer world, and rising sea levels increase exposure along the coast.

Practical comparison “hurricane vs. typhoon” for quick orientation

Useful glossary for quicker understanding

• Eye: the central, relatively calm part of the system with descending currents.


• Eyewall: the ring of the strongest storms and winds around the eye.


• Cone of uncertainty: a statistical representation of the possible positions of the center, not the size of the storm.


• Storm surge: the rise in sea level due to wind and low pressure, the most dangerous cause of mortality.


• Wind shear: the change in wind speed and direction with height; high shear destroys the organization of a cyclone.

For further reading and checking terms

For readers who want to deepen their understanding, we recommend familiarizing themselves with the basics of tropical cyclones, the differences in terminology between basins, naming rules, and the Saffir-Simpson scale. It is also useful to follow regional seasonal outlooks, understand ENSO impacts on seasonality, and see how national services adapt their communication to local audiences.