What is the Difference Between Storm and Hurricane? [Complete Guide]

A hurricane is a type of storm known as a tropical cyclone. Since it is just a type of storm, many people think that there’s nothing much to differentiate between a hurricane and a storm. However, when it comes to “what is the difference between storm and hurricane”, there’s something to discuss. Scroll down to find out! 

What's the difference between a storm and a hurricane?

What is the Difference Between Storm and Hurricane?

To know the difference between tropical storms, it is best to take a look at the definition of these two common weather phenomena. 

Tropical storms vs hurricanes vs tropical depressions

Tropical storms and hurricanes are both tropical cyclones, as previously stated. Tropical depressions are also tropical cyclones, but they are the weakest tropical cyclones, while hurricanes are the strongest. 

By mentioning tropical depressions, it will be easier to help you distinguish between the two remaining terms.

Tropical depressions

Tropical depressions

Tropical depressions are tropical cyclones that have sustained surface winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less. 

Even though tropical depressions aren't as powerful as hurricanes or tropical storms, they can still bring heavy rain, thunderstorms, and severe floods.

Tropical storms

A tropical depression is considered a tropical storm when the circulation of the cyclone becomes more organized and, especially, has sustained wind speeds of between 39 and 73 mph (between 34 and 63 knots). 

Tropical storms dump a lot of rain and produce enough wind and waves that can damage boats and even erode beaches.

Tropical storms

Hurricanes

When the maximum sustained winds of a tropical cyclone reach 74 mph (64 knots) or higher, it is classified as a hurricane, typhoon, or tropical cyclone, depending on where it originates. 

Hurricanes are classified using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which ranges from 1 to 5 rating or category based on the maximum sustained winds of the hurricane. The higher the category, the stronger the hurricane's sustained winds. 

Hurricane

Differences between storm vs hurricane

As you can see from the definition of both hurricanes and tropical storms, wind speed is the most significant factor that distinguishes these two. 

A hurricane always has sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher, whereas a tropical storm has sustained winds of 73 miles per hour or less.

Of course, hurricanes are stronger than tropical storms. Hurricanes are considered the most dangerous and destructive tropical systems on Earth. 

According to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, a category 5 hurricane’s sustained winds reach 157 miles per hour or higher (137 knots), which can cause catastrophic damage.

What is the difference between hurricane and tropical storm?

So when does a tropical storm become a hurricane? A tropical storm grows into a hurricane anytime when the closed circulation of the cyclone becomes an eye and, of course, sustained winds reach 74 miles per hour or higher. 

Explore more:

• Types of climates in the world

• Moon phases and tides

Facts about Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

Here are more surprising facts about storms and hurricanes that you might not know:

• Typhoon Tip, which occurred in the northwest Pacific in 1979, is the largest hurricane on record. It has a diameter of about 2,220 kilometers!

• Due to the Coriolis Force, which results from the Earth’s rotation, hurricanes rotate in a clockwise direction around the center in the Southern Hemisphere and in an anticlockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere. 

• Hurricane season begins on June 1st in the Atlantic and on May 15th in the Pacific. Both end on November 30th.

• The term "hurricane" is derived from the word ” hurricane” - a Taino Native American word that means "evil spirit of the wind."

Facts of hurricane and storm

• Only warm-water oceans can form hurricanes.

• The eye of a hurricane is a relatively calm, clear area that is about 20-40 miles across.

• The area surrounding the eye of a hurricane is called the eyewall. This is the most dangerous part of a hurricane, which produces the strongest winds, heaviest rain, and thickest clouds.

• Every hurricane has a name that is given by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Hurricanes are always named alphabetically. As a result, the name of the year’s first storm begins with the letter A!

• Occurred in 1994 and lasted a month, hurricane John or Typhoon John is the longest-lasting and farthest-traveling cyclone ever recorded. 

Wrapping up

Generally speaking, it won't matter if a hurricane or a tropical storm damages your house or place of business. Despite that, understanding “What is the difference between storm and hurricane?” is still helpful. There are a lot of things we still don’t know about them. So, we hope that you learned useful knowledge about these common natural phenomena after reading this post.