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
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
Two cyclones are currently threatening the South Sea islands off the coast of Australia.
Monday, 6 April 2026

Solomon Islands and Fiji

Cyclones threaten South Pacific islands
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
All weather news
This might also interest you
Illustration of white and yellow fireworks on a blue background.
Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Hello 2026

Happy New Year
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
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
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