What is the different between a hurricane and a typhoon?

Bill H

The terms 'hurricane' and 'typhoon' are regionally specific names for a strong 'tropical cyclone'. A tropical cyclone is the generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale low-pressure system over tropical or sub-tropical waters with organized convection (i.e. thunderstorm activity) and definite cyclonic surface wind circulation. (from- http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/tcfaqA.html) Hurricane is the name used for storms in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Typhoon is used to describe tropical storms in the western Pacific and China seas area. Checkout the National Hurricane Center site http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.html Dec 05 00, 2:47 AM

sequoianoir

HURRICANE A severe tropical cyclone originating in the equatorial regions of the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea or eastern regions of the Pacific Ocean, traveling north, northwest, or northeast from its point of origin, and usually involving heavy rains. A wind with a speed greater than 74 miles (119 kilometers) per hour, according to the Beaufort scale TYPHOON A tropical cyclone occurring in the western Pacific or Indian oceans. Apr 20 04, 3:35 AM

sequoianoir

The terms "hurricane" and "typhoon" are regionally specific names for a strong "tropical cyclone". A tropical cyclone is the generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale low-pressure system over tropical or sub-tropical waters with organized convection (i.e. thunderstorm activity) and definite cyclonic surface wind circulation (Holland 1993). Tropical cyclones with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 17 m/s (34 kt, 39 mph) are called "tropical depressions". (This is not to be confused with the condition mid-latitude people get during a long, cold and grey winter wishing they could be closer to the equator ;-)) Once the tropical cyclone reaches winds of at least 17 m/s they are typically called a "tropical storm" and assigned a name. If winds reach 33 m/s (64 kt, 74 mph)), then they are called: a "hurricane" (the North Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Pacific Ocean east of the dateline, or the South Pacific Ocean east of 160E); a "typhoon" (the Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline); a "severe tropical cyclone" (the Southwest Pacific Ocean west of 160E or Southeast Indian Ocean east of 90E); a "severe cyclonic storm" (the North Indian Ocean); and a "tropical cyclone" (the Southwest Indian Ocean) (Neumann 1993). http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/A1.html Apr 20 04, 3:36 AM

Baloo55th

A Hurricane was an interceptor fighter, while the Typhoon (designed to be an interceptor but unsuccessful in that role) was used as a fighter bomber. http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Hawker%20Typhoon Apr 20 04, 5:03 AM