Difference Between Hurricane and Typhoon

The following points discuss whatever minute differences a Typhoon and a Hurricane have –

1. Both hurricane and typhoons are tropical cyclones that form over oceans. However, hurricanes are known to form over 5 – 30 degree latitudes in the northern hemisphere while typhoons are known to form over the 190-100 degree latitudes in the northern hemisphere.
2. Hurricane is the name given to the tropical cyclone in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific and the eastern North Pacific whereas Typhoon is the name given to a tropical cyclone in the Northwest Pacific.
3. Based on the speed of wind, hurricanes are divided into 5 categories. This is called the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. The highest speed is that of category 5. While on the other hand for typhoons, they are divided into 3 categories other than the tropical storm and sever tropical storm. This Typhoon intensity scale is used by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
4. Every country has a department to name these hurricanes and keep record of them. Like in India, the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) is responsible for naming hurricanes that occur in the Indian ocean region while on the other hand, Typhoons are named and recorded by the meteorological department of the concerned areas. As an example, Japan Meteorological Agency names the typhoons of the northwest Pacific Ocean.

Difference Between Hurricane and Typhoon: Both hurricanes and typhoons belong to the same weather phenomenon, that is tropical cyclones. Both originate over warm oceans, follow the same spiral or rotating structure, carry heavy rainfall and wind along with them, and are capable of causing huge devastation. Thus, we can say that they are almost similar to each other. However, there are some minute points of difference between the two.