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
A green, rolling landscape after rain. Alongside it, a weather map showing a low-pressure system. Indications of further rainfall.
Wednesday, 8 April 2026

New low approaching

Morocco bursting to life after rain
Split UK map showing warm orange temperatures up to 26 degrees on the left transitioning to cooler green tones around 3 to 5 degrees on the right, with an arrow indicating change.
Wednesday, 8 April 2026

A quick shift

High of the year to a cooler spell
Wind map of the UK and Ireland showing a deep low-pressure system, Storm Dave, with red-orange zones and strong gusts up to 55 mph, plus a windsock warning icon indicating hazardous conditions.
Saturday, 4 April 2026

Severe overnight gales

Storm Dave makes impact
All weather news
This might also interest you
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
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday, 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday, 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into 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