Cyclone vs. Hurricane — What's the Difference?

Cyclone is a general term for a rotating storm system.

Hurricane wind speeds must be at least 74 mph.

Cyclone classifications include tropical, subtropical, and extratropical.

Hurricanes are named by specific meteorological organizations.

In meteorology, a cyclone () is a large scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure, counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere as viewed from above (opposite to an anticyclone). Cyclones are characterized by inward-spiraling winds that rotate about a zone of low pressure.

Hurricane is a specific type of tropical cyclone.

A system of winds rotating inwards to an area of low barometric pressure, with an anticlockwise (northern hemisphere) or clockwise (southern hemisphere) circulation; a depression.

Hurricane occurs in the Atlantic and northeastern Pacific Oceans.

An atmospheric system characterized by the rapid inward circulation of air masses about a low-pressure center, usually accompanied by stormy, often destructive weather. Cyclones circulate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hurricanes typically have a well-defined eye at their center.

A violent tropical storm, especially one originating in the southwestern Pacific Ocean or Indian Ocean.

A severe tropical cyclone having winds greater than 64 knots (74 miles per hour; 119 kilometers per hour), 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 violent rotating windstorm, especially a tornado.

A wind with a speed greater than 64 knots (74 miles per hour; 119 kilometers per hour per hour), according to the Beaufort scale.

Any of various devices using centrifugal force to separate materials.

Something resembling a hurricane in force or speed.

(broad sense) A weather phenomenon consisting of a system of winds rotating around a center of low atmospheric pressure

A severe tropical cyclone in the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or in the eastern North Pacific off the west coast of Mexico, with winds of 119 km/h (74 miles per hour) or greater accompanied by rain, lightning, and thunder that sometimes moves into temperate latitudes.

(narrow sense) Such weather phenomenon occurring in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean

(meteorology) A wind scale for quite strong wind, stronger than a storm

A low pressure system.

"full—triple-full—full" – an acrobatic maneuver consisting of three flips and five twists, with one twist on the first flip, three twists on the second flip, one twist on the third flip

(informal) The more or less violent, small-scale circulations such as tornadoes, waterspouts, and dust devils.

A violent storm, characterized by extreme fury and sudden changes of the wind, and generally accompanied by rain, thunder, and lightning; - especially prevalent in the East and West Indies. Also used figuratively.

A strong wind.

A severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving a 73-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)

A cyclone separator; the cylindrical vortex tube within such a separator

To separate using a cyclone separator.

To storm as a cyclone.

To whirl in spirals as a result of a cyclone or whirlwind-like force.

To storm wildly; to be in a frenzy.

A violent storm, often of vast extent, characterized by high winds rotating about a calm center of low atmospheric pressure. This center moves onward, often with a velocity of twenty or thirty miles an hour.

In general, a condition of the atmosphere characterized by a central area of pressure much lower than that of surrounding areas, and a system of winds blowing inward and around (clockwise in the southern hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the northern); - called also a low-area storm. It is attended by high temperature, moist air, abundant precipitation, and clouded sky. The term includes the hurricane, typhoon, and tropical storms; it should not be applied to the moderate disturbances attending ordinary areas of low pressure nor to tornadoes, waterspouts, or "twisters," in which the vertical motion is more important than the horizontal.

A tornado. See above, and Tornado.

(meteorology) rapid inward circulation of air masses about a low-pressure center; circling counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern

A violent rotating windstorm

Cyclone can occur in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Cyclone naming varies based on regional meteorological organizations.

Cyclones can have varying intensities and sizes.

Cyclones can occur globally, in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

A cyclone is a general term for any rotating storm system.

Hurricanes are named by meteorological organizations when they occur in the Atlantic or eastern North Pacific.

A hurricane is a specific type of tropical cyclone that occurs in the Atlantic and northeastern Pacific Oceans.

The naming of cyclones varies based on the regional meteorological organizations.

Yes, hurricanes are a specific type of tropical cyclone.

The eye of a hurricane is the calm, low-pressure center surrounded by the storm's most intense winds.

Hurricanes occur in the Atlantic and northeastern Pacific Oceans.

Cyclones can be tropical, subtropical, or extratropical.

Cyclones can vary in intensity, and their classification can differ based on wind speed, pressure, and other factors.

The minimum wind speed for a hurricane is 74 mph.

Hurricanes can cause severe wind damage, storm surges, flooding, and are often life-threatening.

Some powerful tropical cyclones may have an eye, similar to hurricanes.

Yes, both cyclones and hurricanes have seasons that vary based on geographic location.

Cyclones can cause flooding, wind damage, and can be life-threatening.