tropical cyclone

English

Three tropical cyclones of the 2006 Pacific typhoon season at different stages of development. The weakest (left), a tropical depression, demonstrates only the most basic circular shape. A stronger storm (top right) demonstrates spiral banding and increased centralization, while the strongest (lower right), a typhoon, has developed an eye.

Noun

tropical cyclone (plural tropical cyclones)

  1. (in the broad sense) a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, strong winds, and a circular/spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain, ranging in increasing strength from tropical depressions and tropical storm to hurricanes.
  2. (in the narrow sense) typhoon, hurricane

Synonyms

  • (in the narrow sense) severe tropical cyclone, very intense tropical cyclone (used in the southern hemisphere and the Indian Ocean)

Translations

See also

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