Cyclone vs. hurricane: what’s the difference?
The short answer
The term cyclone is a general term used worldwide for such storm systems, but hurricane specifically refers to a tropical cyclone in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific Ocean.
What they have in common
Both cyclone and hurricane refer to types of intense circular storm systems with strong winds and low-pressure centers and are part of the same overall meteorological phenomenon known as tropical cyclones.
Examples
cyclone
- A powerful cyclone struck the coast, causing widespread damage.
- Meteorologists predicted the cyclone would weaken as it moved inland.
hurricane
- The hurricane made landfall with winds exceeding 120 miles per hour.
- Emergency services were prepared for the arrival of the hurricane.
Which one is more common?
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