- WEATHER
Australia
- National
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- Western Australia
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- ACT
- Northern Territory
Long Range Forecasts
- WARNINGS
- RADAR
- SATELLITE
- MAPS & CHARTS
- LONG RANGE
Long Range Forecasts
- CLIMATE
Climate Indicators
- NEWS
Search Farmonline Weather Help
Understanding the Weather
What is the difference between a tropical cyclone, a hurricane and a typhoon?
In the southern hemisphere the name “tropical cyclones” is used and in the Northern Hemisphere, they are called “hurricanes”.
Both hurricanes and typhoons are tropical cyclones. A hurricane is a severe tropical cyclone originating in the equatorial regions of the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea, traveling north, northwest, or northeast from its point of origin, and usually involving heavy rains.
Typhoon is applied to intense tropical cyclones, which occur in the western Pacific Ocean. In Australia the terms "Tropical Cyclone" and "Severe Tropical Cyclone" are used.
Related Articles
- What is the Southern Oscillation Index?
- What is the Nino3.4 Index?
- What time do the maximum and minimum temperatures refer to?
- Where do the background maps come from in your charts and how is the data turned into graphics?
- Who gives you the information used in your weather charts?
- What does wind chill mean?
- What is relative humidity?
- What is feels like temperature?
- How is the UV index measured?
- How are sunrise and sunset times measured?
- How do I set my barometer?
- How is rain measured? How is snow measured? How do you calculate the water equivalent of snow?
- What are common sources of errors in measuring precipitation?
- What is the dew point?
- Why is wind not always included in the forecast?
- When you talk of a north or northerly wind, do you mean that the wind blows from the north or towards the north? Is this the geographic north of the magnetic north?
- How is a weather forecast made?
- Do you have an explanation of the terminology you use in weather forecasts?
Enter a postcode or town name for local weather, or text to search the site. » advanced search
Snowy weekend ahead in the mountains
16:04 AEST Snowfalls last weekend were the heaviest of the 2024 winter in the alpine regions of Tasmania and mainland Australia, and more snow is coming this weekend.
Help with Farmonline Weather
