Typhoons are a large and powerful type of storm that can cause much damage. They typically form over the ocean but can move onto land. Let’s discuss what typhoons are, how are typhoons formed, the stages of a typhoon, and the difference between typhoons and hurricanes. We’ll also provide some tips on how to stay safe during a typhoon.
1. What is a Typhoon?
A typhoon is an intense circular storm that originates over warm tropical oceans. It is similar to a hurricane but is typically stronger and has a much larger wind field. Typhoons are fueled by warm ocean water and can reach wind speeds of up to 150 mph (240 km/h). They can cause massive damage and flooding when they led to landfall, as was seen with Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013. (See What are Physical Features in Geography?)
2. What is a Super Typhoon?
A super typhoon is a typhoon that can reach sustained surface wind speeds of at least 240 km per hour. These are the most powerful storms on earth and can cause immense damage when landfalls are seen. When a super typhoon makes landfall, it can devastate coastal communities with high winds and heavy rainfall causing significant damage, as floodwaters inundate homes and businesses. Super typhoons have killed some people and many more have lost their homes and livelihoods. Recovery from a super typhoon can take months or even years, depending on the extent of the damage. This is why forecasters pay a lot of attention to how are typhoons formed. Must read about the 8 Sand Storms facts.
3. How Typhoons form? How are Typhoons formed?
There are a few conditions responsible for a typhoon to form. One is that when winds are severe in areas of the ocean where the water is warm, it makes the water evaporates and rises into the air. As more and more air is drawn up, it starts to spin around. This spinning action slowly builds over time until a large storm system eventually forms. Typhoons can cause catastrophic damage when they make landfall, so it’s important to be aware of their formation and development. (See Shipwrecks In The Ocean)
4. What are the Stages of a Typhoon?
Here are the 5 stages which explain how are typhoons formed:
- Incipient Disturbances: The incipient stage of typhoon development is when the weather starts to change. This is usually marked by a disturbance in the upper-level winds and can often be seen on satellite imagery as a small area of disturbed weather. As the developing stage continues, the area of disturbed weather will start to grow and become more organized. This is when you start to see cyclonic circulation form, and thunderstorms will develop around the center of circulation. Also, check out how do mountains affect dry areas like Nevada?
- Tropical Storm: When the cyclonic circulation becomes stronger, and the thunderstorms around the center become more organized and sustained, we label it a tropical storm. At this point, the storm will be given a name.
- Tropical Cyclone: As the tropical storm grows in strength, it will eventually be classified as a typhoon or hurricane. The difference is simply their location; typhoons form in the Northwest Pacific basin while hurricanes form in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific basins.
- Severe Tropical Cyclone: The final stage of typhoon development is when the storm reaches its peak strength. Winds at this point can be incredibly destructive, often reaching over 200 km/h. Storm surges and heavy rains are also a threat during this stage. Thankfully, typhoons typically weaken once they make landfall and dissipate soon after.
- The End of Tropical Cyclone Lifecycle: Once a typhoon or hurricane reaches land, it quickly begins to weaken. The lack of warm ocean water to fuel the storm, combined with wind shear, typically causes tropical cyclones to dissipate within a day or two after landfall. However, even though the storm may be gone, the damage it leaves behind can often be catastrophic. (See What does the Thermometer and Snowflake mean on Weather App?)
5. How does a Thunderstorm helps in the Formation of a Typhoon?
Thunderstorms help to convert the moisture into heat necessary for the formation of a typhoon. The heat helps create the unstable air masses required for a typhoon to form. Additionally, thunderstorms provide energy to the storm system and can help sustain it as it moves across the ocean. (See 10 Tips to Know If You Were Stranded on a Desert Island)
6. Where do Typhoons occur usually?
Typhoons usually occur in the western Pacific Ocean, typically between May and November. The vast majority of typhoons form over the open ocean waters of the Northwestern Pacific Basin, northeast of the Philippines. (See Hottest Desert in the World)
7. Why do Typhoons mostly form in Oceans near Equator?
Typhoons form over oceans near the equator because that is where the warm, moist air is plentiful. The atmosphere near the Earth’s equator is thicker than at other latitudes, and this warmth and moisture provide the perfect environment for a typhoon to form and grow. The engines that power a typhoon are the storms that increase the pressure and force more fuel (air) into it. This increased fuel intake causes the engine to spin faster and generate more power. Thunderstorms act as the gas pedal in a typhoon, providing energy that allows the storm to grow larger and stronger. (See What are the 6 Layers of the Earth?)
8 When do Typhoons usually Occur?
Typhoons typically occur between April and December. They are at their most intense in October and November. (See How are Volcanoes Distributed on the Map?)
9. Which Country has the most Typhoons? What areas are prone to Typhoons?
These countries have the most typhoons:
- China
- Philippines
- Japan
- Mexico
- United States (including Hawaii)
- Australia
- Taiwan
- Vietnam
- Madagascar
- Cuba. (See What Country am I in?)
10. How do Cyclones form?
Besides, how are typhoons formed, you must know that cyclones form when there is a large difference in temperature between the land and the sea. The warm air over the land rises, and the cold air over the sea rushes in to take its place. This creates the winds that swirl around and around, creating the cyclone. (See Why are people afraid of storms?)
11. What are the Four conditions for a Tropical Cyclone to form?
Climate conditions must be just right for a tropical cyclone to form. There must be warm waters, a low-level disturbance, and weak vertical wind shear. In addition, the Coriolis force must be present. Without these four conditions in place, a tropical cyclone will not form. (See What is the Difference Between a Sea and Ocean?)
12. How do Hurricanes form? Step by Step Explanation
As tropical storms move across the ocean, they pick up energy from the warm water. This energy makes the storms stronger, and they can eventually turn into hurricanes. Just like how are typhoons formed, there are several things responsible for a hurricane to form:
- Warm water: Hurricanes need warm water to form. The ocean temperatures need to be 26.5 degrees Celsius or warmer for a hurricane to develop.
- Moist air: For the thunderstorms that make up a hurricane, there needs to be enough moist air in the surroundings.
- A pre-existing disturbance: Approximately half of all hurricanes develop from pre-existing disturbances like upper-level low-pressure systems or tropical waves. These disturbances help to create the spin that a hurricane needs. (Also read Is the Eye of a Hurricane Calm?)
13. What is the Difference between a Typhoon and a Cyclone?
There are several key differences between a typhoon and a cyclone to understand how are typhoons formed:
- They are called hurricanes in the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific Oceans but typhoons in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. A typhoon is also known as a cyclone in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- Typhoons tend to form over the open ocean, while cyclones typically occur near the coasts.
- Typhoons generally have much higher wind speeds than cyclones.
- While both can cause extensive damage, typhoons tend to be more destructive overall. (See How many People have Died on The Stratosphere?)
14. What is the Difference between Typhoons and Hurricanes?
There are several differences between typhoons and hurricanes:
- Typhoons tend to form in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, while hurricanes usually form in the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific Oceans.
- While both start as tropical cyclones, hurricanes eventually become extratropical, while typhoons retain their tropical natures.
- Typhoons typically have much higher wind speeds than hurricanes. (See Where Is The Eye Of The Hurricane?)
The factors and factors of how are typhoons formed make typhoons significantly more dangerous than hurricanes, which is why they’re often given much more attention by forecasters and officials when they threaten land. Must read what is the biggest thing on Earth?
Typhoons are impressive storms, but they form in a fairly predictable way. Understanding the conditions necessary for typhoon formation can better prepare and protect us from their destructive power. Have you ever seen a typhoon form? What was your experience like? Hope you got valuable information understanding how are typhoons formed, the stages of a typhoon, and the difference between typhoons and hurricanes. (See How many Islands in the Philippines are Known?)
