Tropical Cyclone

Tropical cyclones are large circulating storm systems consisting of multiple bands of intense showers and thunderstorms and extremely high winds. These storm systems develop over warm ocean waters in the tropical regions that lie within about 25° latitude of the equator. Tropical cyclones may begin as isolated thunderstorms. If conditions are right they grow and intensify to form the storm systems known as hurricanes in the Americas, typhoons in East Asia, willy-willy in Australia, cyclones in Australia and India, and baguios in the Philippines. A fully developed tropical cyclone is a circular complex of thunderstorms about 403 mi (650 km) in diameter and over 7.5 mi (12 km) high. Winds near the core of the cyclone can exceed 110 MPH (50 km/h). At the center of the storm is a region about 9-12.5 mi (15-20 km) across called the eye, where the winds are light and skies are often clear. After forming and reaching peak strength over tropical seas, tropical cyclones may blow inshore causing significant damage and loss of life. The storm destruction occurs by very high winds and forcing rapid rises in sea level that flood low lying coastal areas. Better forecasting and emergency planning has lowered the death tolls in recent years from these extremely powerful storms.