Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Home / Weather News /

Tropical storms: what's the difference?

13:00
19 December 2021

Hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons
Tropical storms: what's the difference?

Hurricane

Typhoon Rai hit the Philippines this week as the Atlantic hurricane season ends and Australia's cyclone season commences. You may be wondering, what's the difference between these storms?

The answer is, not much. All three are tropical storms simply named differently based on the basin they form in.

Check out our Weather Explained video to learn more.

More on the topic
Split image showing a coastal sunrise over the sea with orange horizon on hte left and sunlit stone abbey ruins on green grass under a blue sky on the right.
Sunday 12 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

A spring break between storms
Map showing wind radar data for a tropical storm near New Zealand. A distinct storm centre with high wind speeds. New Zealand lies to the south of the system.
Friday 10 April 2026

Vaianu brings heavy rain

Tropical storm threatens New Zealand
Wind map showing a section of the Pacific Ocean.
Monday 13 April 2026

Highest alert level

Massive typhoon in the Western Pacific
All weather news
This might also interest you
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList