In Australia, the traditional local name for a tropical cyclone (or sometimes a smaller dust devil) is a “Willy-willy.” While modern Australian meteorologists now officially use the term “Tropical Cyclone,” the name “Willy-willy” remains a famous historical and cultural term ...
Discussion Forum Latest Questions
Typhoons are tropical cyclones that form in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. This region specifically includes the waters surrounding the Philippines and Japan. While the other regions listed face similar storms, they use different names: North America has hurricanes, Central America ...
Tropical cyclones are named based on their location. In the Northwest Pacific Ocean—affecting countries like the Philippines, Japan, China and Vietnam—these powerful storms are called “Typhoons.” While they are scientifically the same as hurricanes, the name “Typhoon” is specific to ...
The T-scale (part of the Dvorak Technique) is used to estimate the intensity of tropical cyclones. It uses satellite imagery to analyze the cloud patterns and the structure of the “eye.” By assigning a “T-number” (from 1.0 to 8.0), meteorologists ...
At high altitudes, air is “free” and balances perfectly between pressure and the Coriolis force, blowing parallel to isobars. Near the ground, however, friction from trees and buildings slows the wind down. Since the Coriolis force depends on speed, it ...