2.4.12 (HL)—Tropical cyclones

A tropical cyclone is one warm-ocean, rotating low-pressure storm; the name changes with region.

Evaporation supplies moist air, condensation releases latent heat, rising air lowers pressure and draws in more air. Above sustained winds of 119 km h⁻¹, regional names include hurricane, typhoon and cyclone.

The same storm type is a typhoon in the western Pacific but a hurricane in the Atlantic.

Moist convection releases latent heat, lowering pressure and strengthening inflow.

These are regional names, not different physical categories; location determines the label.