Dear Tom,
What is the difference between a hurricane, typhoon and a cyclone? Do we ever hear about typhoons and cyclones here?
–John Flanagan, St. Charles
Dear John,
Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones are regional specific names for tropical cyclones. They are called hurricanes in the Atlantic, eastern and southwest Pacific and Caribbean; typhoons in the northwest Pacific; and cyclones in the Indian Ocean. While cyclones and typhoons do not affect this country, they become big news when they cause problems in other parts of the world. Cyclone Nargis was a huge story when it struck Myanmar in May 2008, as was Typhoon Thelma when it killed 6,000 in the Philippines in 1991. In a non-tropical sense, the term cyclone is also loosely applied to tornadoes, waterspouts, dust storms and sometimes to any strong wind.
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Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or: asktomwhy@wgntv.com
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