Hurricanes, Typhoons, Monsoons, and Tropical Cyclones: What is the Difference?

Across the globe, weather events known as hurricanes form in the ocean, sometimes striking land with incredible force (or, if conditions are favorable, dissipating before they have a chance to reach land at all). Additionally, there often seems to be multiple terms used on the news, such as “typhoon,” “monsoon,” or “tropical cyclone.” So, when it comes to oceanic activity, what exactly is the difference between these types of storms? And how can SERVPRO^® help clean, restore, and rebuild your property after they strike?

What is a Hurricane?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service, a hurricane is defined as: “A well-defined system of showers and thunderstorms with a well-defined circulation center with maximum winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or greater.”

Notably, as researchers state at NOAA’s National Ocean Service, hurricanes first form in the Atlantic basin. This includes the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean itself, the eastern North Pacific Ocean, and sometimes, the central North Pacific Ocean.

What is a Typhoon?

Cambridge Dictionary provides the following definition of a typhoon: “A violent wind that has a circular movement, found in the West Pacific Ocean.”

You might be noticing a pattern. If both hurricanes and typhoons are winds spinning in a circular motion, why the different names? More on that below.

What is a Monsoon?

National Geographic defines a monsoon as: “A seasonal change in the direction of the prevailing, or strongest, winds of a region.” Some notable facts about monsoons include:

• There are both summer monsoons and winter monsoons.
  • These different monsoon types largely determine the climate in places such as Southeast Asia and India.
• They are most frequently associated with the Indian Ocean.
• Monsoons can cause both dry and wet seasons throughout most of the tropics.

What is a Tropical Cyclone?

The last term we will cover is “tropical cyclone,” which NOAA defines as: “A warm-core low pressure system, without any front attached, that develops over the tropical or subtropical waters and has an organized circulation.”

Notably, these include both hurricanes and typhoons. However, as the Red Cross notes, not all tropical cyclones become hurricanes or typhoons.

Similarities and Differences Between the Four Terms

The Red Cross and Tyndall Air Force Base outlines some similarities between hurricanes and typhoons, while the UCAR Center for Science Education provides further information about monsoons. These sources, along with NOAA’s information about tropical cyclones, can help us distinguish notable similarities and differences between these terms.

Commonalities between the four include:

• Hurricanes, typhoons, and tropical cyclones all involve an organized circulation of wind over water.
• They all involve strong winds and rain.
• When a tropical cyclone’s wind speed reaches 74 mph, it can officially be categorized as a hurricane or typhoon (depending on the location).

Conversely, some notable differences include:

• Hurricanes take place in the eastern North Pacific, central North Pacific, and North Atlantic oceans.
• Typhoons generally occur in East Asia, over the Northwest Pacific Ocean.
  • If this type of storm occurs anywhere else, it is simply considered a tropical cyclone.
• Unlike a hurricane, typhoon, and tropical cyclone, monsoons are a much larger pattern of rain and wind that can cover entire geographic regions, including full continents, or sometimes, the entire planet.
• Ultimately, there are three hurricane seasons:
  • Eastern Pacific Ocean hurricane season is from May 15^th to November 30^th.
  • Central Pacific, where Hawaii is located, experiences hurricane season from June 1^st to November 30^th.
  • Atlantic Ocean hurricane season is from June 1^st to November 30^th.
• Typhoon season takes place from January 1^st through December 31^st (though notably, Tyndall Air Force Base indicates that 95% of typhoons occur after May 1^st).

SERVPRO Provides Storm Cleanup Services 24/7

With over five decades of experience, SERVPRO is educated in storm cleanup, restoration, and construction. No matter what type of storm you experience, SERVPRO professionals utilize proprietary chemicals, specific techniques, tools, and equipment to help deliver elite remediation services. We understand that oftentimes after a disaster, time is of the essence; perhaps your business was struck by a hurricane, so every hour of closure is an hour of lost revenue and productivity.

Beyond that, the safety and security of yourself, family, pets, and others are top priority, so SERVPRO is committed to helping restore your property, so you can get back on your feet as soon as possible.

Before a natural disaster or other emergency strikes, we encourage you to develop a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan, so you can have a plan of action in place, including potential evacuation routes and methods of communication established.

No Matter the Natural Disaster, SERVPRO is Here to Help^®

Whether you experience a hurricane, typhoon, monsoon, tropical cyclone, or more, SERVPRO is equipped to provide disaster cleanup, restoration, and construction services around the clock. With 2260 SERVPRO locations in the United States and Canada, there is a franchise nearby, staffed with knowledgeable and educated technicians who are always here to help.

Established in 1967, SERVPRO is the #1 choice in fire and water cleanup and restoration* for a reason. No job is too big or too small. With strategically placed large loss teams across the United States and Canada, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Teams^® are trained to respond specifically to disasters such as hurricanes, typhoons, monsoons, tropical cyclones, and more. For 24-hour emergency services, reach out to your local SERVPRO.

Our website provides plenty of information about disaster cleanup, restoration, and construction. To learn more, we encourage you to visit our FAQ and glossary.