Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
Home / Editor's Pick /

Understanding the tropical trio: Cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons

09:00
9 March 2024

Tropical trio video
3 forces: Cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons

Tropical cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons are all different names for the same type of storm system - so what is the actual difference?

Here in the UK and Ireland it is not physically possible for us to be in receipt of any tropical systems, because our surrounding waters are simply not warm enough to sustain anything of tropical status.

So where can see tropical systems, and why do they have different names? Meteorologist Tamsin Green dives into the definition behind each system, and what determines their differences.

Myth buster: Hurricanes in UK & Irelandread more
More on the topic
Split weather graphic showing a low-pressure system with tight isobars over the UK on the left and a wind map on the right with strong gusts up to 90 mph, plus a windsock warning icon.
Thursday, 2 April 2026

Gales and blizzards

Storm Dave disrupts Easter weekend
A harbour in Crete with a reddish-brown, overcast sky
Friday, 3 April 2026

Blood red skies

Dust storm in Crete
On the left, the weather radar for Italy showing heavy rain; on the right, a flooded road
Thursday, 2 April 2026

Severe weather in Italy

Flooding and heavy snowfall
All weather news
This might also interest you
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday, 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
Split image showing strong winds over the UK on a forecast map and widespread rain and snow on a weather radar map.
Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Severe gales & heavy rain

Storm Chandra makes impact
UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.
Friday, 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend
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