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Cyclones and tornadoes are both turbulent atmospheric systems that have the perspective of causing devastation. They are induced due to instability in atmospheric conditions. As per the region and the harshness of stormy conditions, these storms may be known as typhoons, hurricanes, tropical cyclones, etc.
A Cyclone is described in the dictionary as “an atmospheric system exemplified by the speedy inward movement of air masses about a low-pressure centre, generally conveyed by stormy often destructive weather”.
A Tornado is classified in the dictionary as “a rotating column of air ranging in breadth from a few yards to more than a mile and spinning at violently high speeds, generally escorted by a funnel-shaped downward extension of a cumulonimbus cloud”. The wind speeds of tornadoes vary from 40 mph to 110 mph, span about 75 m across and can move a few miles. In extreme cases, tornadoes have also attained a speed of 300 mph.
Geographical location
Cyclones instigate in tropical regions, for instance, Pacific islands, Northern Australia, and other areas.
Tornadoes have been reported in all continents except for Antarctica. The highest frequencies happen in the Netherlands, and up to 1200 on average in the United States.
Characteristics and Types
Cyclones contain a low-pressure centre described as the “eye”, and the wind rotating around runs counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere. The speed of cyclones fluctuates from 32 to 200 kmph. Cyclones mostly happen in a specific season and mainly distress the coastal areas. Cyclones can be of six major types:
Polar
Polar low
Extratropical
Subtropical
Tropical
Mesocyclones
There are several shapes and sizes of tornadoes. Tornadoes appear like large funnels, low in height with a cylindrical profile, known as “stovepipe” tornadoes. In contrast, the ones that look like large wedges stuck to the ground are referred to as wedges. Tornadoes can, in addition, be a small whirl of dust close to the ground and not simply identifiable.
The types of tornadoes are:
- Multiple vortexes
- Waterspout
- Gustnado
- Daredevil
- Fire whirls
- Steam devils
The colour of tornadoes depends on the region they occur in and relies on the colour of the soil and debris accumulated. The United States witnesses about 1200 tornadoes every year, while the Netherlands records the maximum number of tornadoes per area evaluated by other countries. Other countries with frequent incidents of tornadoes comprise South Africa, parts of Argentina, parts of Europe, Paraguay, Australia, and New Zealand. Tornadoes happen commonly in spring and the fall season and are less frequent in winters.
Intensity and Damage
The scale for computing cyclones is called the Beaufort scale and Saffir-Simpson scale and might differ in different countries. The scale for computing the intensity of cyclones relies on the intensity of damage and the wind speed. The scale ranges from slight house damage and devastation of plants and trees to widespread damage and extensive demolition, with wind speed ranging from 74 to 156 mph.
The intensity of tornadoes can also differ in intensity with those with a longer path being stronger. The scale employed for rating the force of tornadoes is called the Fujita (F), Enhanced Fujita (EF), and TORRO (T) Scale. The range differs from F0, EF0, or T0 for negligible damage (harms trees but not buildings) up to F5, EF5, or T11 for an enormous degree of harm (buildings and skyscrapers end up getting smashed).In the United States, the greatest tornadoes (80%) fall into the EF0 and EF1 (T0 to T3) class and less than 1% are aggressive (EF4, T8, or more).
Cyclone versus Tornado Difference Chart
Conclusion
Although cyclones and tornadoes are dissimilar, they are both very extreme storms. When looking at different storms, particularly those with revolving winds, it can be tough to know the difference between them — the major difference between a tornado and a cyclone is where and why it is created. A cyclone is created over water, whilst a tornado is created over land.
