A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system with a low-pressure center, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depending on where it forms and its strength, the same kind of storm is called a hurricane in the Atlantic or northeastern Pacific, a typhoon in the northwestern Pacific, or simply a tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific. On average around 80 to 90 named tropical cyclones form worldwide each year, more than half of which develop hurricane-force winds of 65 knots or more.
Connections
Associated With
Hurricane Katrina is one of the costliest and deadliest tropical cyclones in United States history.
Caused By
Tropical cyclones form and are steered by large-scale atmospheric circulation over warm ocean water.
Causes
Storm surge is driven by the onshore wind stress and low atmospheric pressure of a landfalling tropical cyclone.
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