Typhoon/Hurricane/Cyclone
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A typhoon is a powerful, rotating storm system that originates over warm tropical waters. While the physics are the same as a hurricane, the name "typhoon" is specific to those that form in the Northwest Pacific Ocean—affecting countries like the Philippines, Japan, China, and Vietnam.
How Typhoons Work
Typhoons act like massive heat engines, fueled by the evaporation of warm ocean water. For a typhoon to form, it generally needs:
Warm Water: Sea surface temperatures of at least 26.5°C (about 80°F).
The Coriolis Effect: This is the "spin" provided by the Earth's rotation. Because this effect is zero at the equator, typhoons rarely form within 5° of it.
Low Wind Shear: Calm winds in the upper atmosphere allow the storm's "chimney" of clouds to stay vertical and grow.
Comparison: Typhoon vs. Hurricane vs. Cyclone
The primary difference is location. If you were to track one storm moving across the ocean, its name could change depending on which "border" it crosses.
Term Region
Typhoon Northwest Pacific (East Asia, Philippines)
Hurricane North Atlantic & Northeast Pacific (USA, Caribbean)
Cyclone South Pacific & Indian Ocean (Australia, India)
Eksportér til Sheets
Recent Activity (2025–2026)
The 2025 Typhoon Season was unique for its high number of storms but lower-than-average intensity (ACE index).
2025 Summary: There were approximately 27-28 named storms and 17 typhoons.
Standout Storms: Super Typhoon Uwan (November 2025) and Typhoon Tino caused significant displacement in the Philippines.
Pattern Shift: Many 2025 storms tracked further south than usual, sparing Japan from major hits but repeatedly impacting Vietnam and the Philippines.
The "Eye" of the Storm
At the center of a typhoon is the eye, a circular area of relatively calm winds and clear skies (usually 30–65 km wide).Surrounding the eye is the eyewall, which contains the storm's most violent winds and heaviest rain.
Safety Tip: If the eye passes over you, do not be fooled by the sudden calm. The "second half" of the storm—often just as violent as the first—will arrive shortly as the eyewall moves back in.