Cyclones are enormous, destructive, and deadly storms. Satellite data show that cyclones form in low-pressure systems over temperate, tropical waters. Tropical storms can intensify and develop into cooler, windier tropical storms. A cyclone is called a cyclone when the wind speed exceeds 70 miles per hour.
A Cyclone looks like a giant cloud disk. Thickness is 10-15 km. They can also be up to 1,000 kilometers in diameter. They consist of bands of storm clouds swirling around a very low-pressure zone called the eye of the cyclone. The wind is drawn to the cyclone's eye but cannot penetrate it. When the current reaches the sea area, it becomes powerful. They swirl around the sea, rise to the top of the clouds, and disappear.
Westerly trade winds can bring hurricanes to the mainland and cause significant damage. Wind speeds above 250 kilometers per hour cause buildings to collapse, and torrential rain and seawater sucked in by cyclones flood the entire area. Each year, hurricanes kill an average of 20,000 people worldwide.
Why are Cyclones formed?
After a brief introduction to cyclones, you may have wondered why they form or what they cause. Below we share some facts behind it.
Warm, moist air at the sea surface.
Cyclones form in areas of low pressure.
Cyclones are caused by warm air rising from the sea level.
As warm air rises, cold air flows into space.
The cold air then heats up and rises back into the atmosphere.
This process (the cyclone cycle) is continuous.
This rapid rise of hot air creates an eye at the cyclone's center. Similarly, areas of low pressure are filled with high-pressure winds.
How are Cyclones Formed?
The diagram above shows how cyclones form. The green line represents the rise of warm air, and the red arrow represents the fall of cool air. A cyclone is formed when the warm, moist air rises over the ocean. As this air moves up, a low-pressure area is formed below.
The low-pressure area is now filled with high-pressure air from the environment. The next batch of cold air, again over the ocean, becomes warm and humid and moves up. This creates a low-pressure area. The cycle continues.
This continuous cycle forms clouds in the air. As water evaporates from the ocean, more clouds form.
It leads to the formation of the Storm system. The storm and winds system spins faster and forms an eye in the center. The sight of the storm is considered the calm and clear part. The air pressure in the center of the storm is low.
The cyclones are divided into different classes depending on the strength of the winds produced.
Cyclone Categories:
Category
Wind Speed (Mi/h)
Damage of Landfall
Storm Surge (feet)
1
74 - 95
Minimal
4-5
2
96 - 110
Moderate
6-8
3
111 - 130
Extensive
9-12
4
131 - 155
Extreme
13-18
5
>155
Catastrophic
19+
Other Name of Cyclone in Different Parts of the World
Region
Name of the Cyclone
Caribbean Sea
Hurricanes
China Sea
Typhoon
Indian Ocean
Tropical Cyclones
Japan
Taifu
Northern Australia
Wily Willies
Philippi