Home / Weather News /

Tropical storms: what's the difference?

13:00
19 December 2021

Hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons
Tropical storms: what's the difference?

Hurricane

Typhoon Rai hit the Philippines this week as the Atlantic hurricane season ends and Australia's cyclone season commences. You may be wondering, what's the difference between these storms?

The answer is, not much. All three are tropical storms simply named differently based on the basin they form in.

Check out our Weather Explained video to learn more.

More on the topic
Map comparison showing 44 degrees in Indulkana and minus 51 degrees in Olenyok. Coloured temperature ranges show stark global contrasts.
Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Global extremes

Almost 100 degrees difference in temperature
Shooting stars, part of the Geminid meteor shower.
Saturday, 13 December 2025

Spot a shooting star

King of meteor showers at its peak
Map of Europe showing low pressure over Russia and a strong cold air flow towards Eastern Europe. Significant drop in temperatures across large parts of the east.
Thursday, 11 December 2025

Frost and snowfall

Cold air intrusion in Eastern Europe
All weather news
This might also interest you
Friday, 22 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Sunny start for some, overcast later
Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.
Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK
Wednesday, 27 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Frontal system brings heavy rain
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList