There are various types of storms, but each one is catastrophic and causes harm to the surroundings. However, every storm is of different strength and form.
Tropical storms and hurricanes are very different from each other. Yet, people tend to see them as similar types, but they are different from each other.
Key Takeaways
- Tropical storms have sustained wind speeds between 39 and 73 mph, while hurricanes exhibit wind speeds of 74 mph or higher.
- Hurricanes are categorized using the Saffir-Simpson scale, which ranges from Category 1 (least severe) to Category 5 (most severe).
- Both tropical storms and hurricanes form over warm ocean waters and can cause significant damage, but hurricanes possess greater destructive potential.
Tropical Storm vs Hurricane
The difference between tropical storms and hurricanes is that tropical storms are of low intensity and pressure, while hurricanes are high intensity, cyclonic, or rotating with high pressure. Secondly, Tropical storms form over low-pressure areas on oceans. Meanwhile, Hurricanes are originated in the tropics over the oceans. Thirdly, tropical storm speeds over 39 mph to 73 mph, while hurricanes’ speed exceeds over 74mph. Fourthly, tropical storms are larger in diameter, while hurricanes are smaller in diameter. Lastly, tropical storms have no presence of an eye. Meanwhile, hurricanes have a well-defined eye.
A tropical storm is a type of storm that occurs over low-pressure areas on oceans. There are different speeds and strengths of storms, although it has low intensity and pressure as compared to other storms.
With that, speed lies between 39 mph to 73 mph. As for the diameter, it has a larger diameter. Meanwhile, it lacks an eye.
Hurricane is also a type of storm that occurs in the tropics over the oceans. This type of storm has a low intensity and pressure along with a speed exceeding over 74mph.
Indeed, the pressure can be felt at the uppermost part of the hurricane. As for the diameter, it has a smaller diameter. Meanwhile, it also has a well-defined eye.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | Tropical Storm | Hurricane |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Tropical storms are of low intensity and pressure. | Hurricanes are of high intensity, cyclonic, or rotating with high pressure. |
| Occur | Tropical storms form over low-pressure areas on oceans. | Hurricanes are formed in the tropics over the ocean. |
| Speed | Tropical storm speeds over 39 mph to 73 mph. | Hurricanes’ speed exceeds over 74mph. |
| Diameter | Tropical storms are larger in diameter. | Hurricanes are smaller in diameter. |
| Presence of an eye | Tropical storms have no presence of an eye. | Hurricanes have a well-defined eye. |
What is Tropical Storm?
A tropical storm is a type of storm that occurs over low-pressure areas on oceans, especially over warm tropical oceans.
It is mediocre between loosely organized tropical depressions and more intense tropical cyclones. As a result, it is regarded as having modest intensity, pressure, and strength compared to other storms.
Apparently, the speed lies between 39 mph to 73 mph. Tropical storms have the same size and structure as tropical cyclones but not the intensity and pressure.
It can also occur in any of Earth’s ocean bases which can also be the origination site of tropical cyclones.
Winds exert pressure highest at the surface while it decreases with altitude. Additionally, the maximum intensity of the wind is 20 to 30 miles away from the center.
Moreover, it lacks the presence of an eye, but it can be seen in the mature tropical cyclone. The name itself signifies tropical storms because it is developed in tropical areas.
Generally, people refer to tropical storms as tropical cyclones, but it is not valid.
Tropical cyclones are more intense as compared to tropical storms. It is also entirely a weather system because tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes are all part of it.
Furthermore, it is also considered a strong thunderstorm.
What is Hurricane?
Hurricane is also a type of storm that occurs in the tropics over the oceans. It is also called a tropical cyclone forming over tropical or subtropical regions.
As a result, it is thought to have a high intensity, pressure, and strength when compared to other storms.
Apparently, the speed exceeds over 74mph. A hurricane has a set pattern as it rotates a low-pressure weather system along with organized thunderstorms.
But there’s no boundary separating two different air with different densities.
Weather forecasters, after forming a hurricane, can predict its path and strength.
And this helps people to prepare to tackle extreme weather conditions as they might cause catastrophic damage in the surroundings.
Moreover, it has a well-defined eye and ab perfect spiral shape. This characteristic is one of the major differences between a tropical storm and a hurricane.
Additionally, it has a smaller diameter than mid-latitude storms.
Furthermore, the main reason behind the formation of hurricanes is air spiraling inward in a counterclockwise direction, therefore its intensity is highest at the lowest part of the hurricane.
With the altitude, the intensity decreases and turns clockwise at the uppermost part of the hurricane. Additionally, it forms over low depression areas.
Main Differences Between Tropical Storm and Hurricane
Storms are of a different kind, therefore it differs in intensity and strength. These exert catastrophic damages to the surrounding area. Some of the storms are tropical storms and hurricanes.
Indeed, they differ from each other a lot. As tropical storms occur over low-pressure areas, and hurricanes occur over low-depression areas. Even the speed of the storm differs in each storm.
Some of the differences between tropical storms and hurricanes are
- Tropical storms are of low intensity and pressure, while hurricanes are of high intensity, cyclonic, or rotating with high pressure.
- Tropical storms form over low-pressure areas on oceans. Meanwhile, Hurricanes are formed in the tropics over the ocean.
- Tropical storm speeds over 39 mph to 73 mph, while hurricanes’ speed exceeds over 74mph.
- Tropical storms are larger in diameter, while hurricanes are smaller in diameter.
- Tropical storms have no presence of an eye. Meanwhile, hurricanes have a well-defined eye.
- https://academic.oup.com/ilarjournal/article-abstract/51/2/104/648008
- https://journals.ametsoc.org/jamc/article/16/5/477/350084
Last Updated : 26 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
It’s quite fascinating to understand how tropical storms and hurricanes differ in various aspects. The weather phenomena are intriguing and this post helps to further explore and comprehend them.
It’s incredible how much we can learn about the natural phenomena with posts like this. The explanation is clear and concise, a great piece for those who want to learn about these types of storms.
The posts on what tropical storms and hurricanes are are quite interesting and informative
The detailed breakdown of the main differences between tropical storms and hurricanes provides an essential understanding of the two weather phenomena. Great informative post!
The way you describe in detail tropical storms and hurricanes is really informative and interesting. It is important to know the difference between the two, as they can both be life-threatening. The post provides valuable information and is a must-read for anyone living in areas prone to these types of storms.
The comparison table neatly summarizes the most relevant differences between tropical storms and hurricanes. It offers a quick and clear reference for anyone who wants to understand these natural phenomena better.