Differences between Hurricane and Typhoon

Hurricane vs. Typhoon

A hurricane and a typhoon are the same weather phenomenon, a tropical cyclone. The key distinction between them is their location of origin. Tropical cyclones are rotating, organized systems of clouds and thunderstorms that form over tropical or subtropical waters. These storms are given different names based on where they develop.

Storms forming in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific are called hurricanes. Storms that develop in the Northwest Pacific Ocean are known as typhoons. In other parts of the world, such as the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, these storms are referred to as tropical cyclones or severe cyclonic storms.

For a tropical storm to be classified as a hurricane or typhoon, it must reach maximum sustained wind speeds of 74 miles per hour or greater. Below this speed, the storm is classified as a tropical storm or tropical depression.

Comparison Table

Category	Hurricane	Typhoon
Location	North Atlantic, Northeast Pacific, and Central North Pacific Oceans	Northwest Pacific Ocean
Primary Season	June to November (Atlantic)	Generally year-round, with a peak between May and October
Rotation (Northern Hemisphere)	Counter-clockwise	Counter-clockwise
Naming Convention	Drawn from six rotating lists of alternating male and female names	Primarily names of flowers, animals, trees, and other non-personal names contributed by regional countries
Responsible Naming Body	World Meteorological Organization Hurricane Committee	WMO Typhoon Committee

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Hurricane and Typhoon

Naming Systems

The naming of hurricanes in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins follows a structured system managed by the World Meteorological Organization. Names are pulled from six lists that rotate annually. These lists feature alternating male and female names and skip less common letters like Q, U, X, Y, and Z. A name is retired from the list if the storm is particularly destructive or deadly.

Typhoon names are contributed by countries in the region and are often words from local languages. Unlike hurricane names, which are personal names, typhoon names can be flowers, animals, or other descriptive terms. These names are also cycled through a list, and names of exceptionally impactful storms can be retired.

Formation Basins and Seasonality

Hurricanes typically form in the Atlantic basin between June 1 and November 30. This region includes the North Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30.

The Northwest Pacific basin, where typhoons form, is the most active tropical cyclone basin globally. While typhoons can occur at any time of the year, the main season for activity is from July to November. The vast expanse of warm water in the western Pacific can contribute to typhoons sometimes becoming larger and more intense than hurricanes.