Wiki User
∙ 12y agoCyclone is the most general of these terms. It describes virtually any broad scale low pressure system of which a hurricane is one variety. Tornado, funnel cloud, and hurricane describe much more specific events.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe most general term is cyclone, which encompasses tornadoes, funnel clouds, and hurricanes. Cyclone refers to a system of winds that spiral inwards around a low-pressure center, occurring in various forms based on location and size. tornadoes, funnel clouds, and hurricanes are specific types of cyclones distinguished by their intensity and characteristics.
A cyclone is more closely related to a hurricane. A cyclone is a general term used to describe a rotating low-pressure weather system, which can develop into hurricanes, typhoons, or tropical cyclones depending on the region. Tornadoes, on the other hand, form in severe thunderstorms and are characterized by a twisting, funnel-shaped cloud extending from the sky to the ground.
tornado clouds
A hurricane typically covers a larger ground surface area than a tornado. Hurricanes are large, swirling storms that can span hundreds of miles and affect large portions of coastal regions, while tornadoes are smaller, more localized funnel clouds that typically cover a few miles at most.
Both the center of a tornado and the center of a hurricane are characterized by low pressure. These low-pressure centers are areas of calm weather compared to the swirling winds and intense activity found in the surrounding storm. In meteorology, these calm centers are known as the eye of the storm for hurricanes and the eye or condensation funnel for tornadoes.
A tornado is a narrow funnel of air that extends down from a cumulonimbus cloud, usually associated with severe thunderstorms.
Both tornadoes and hurricanes are dangerous natural disasters, but they differ in scale and intensity. Tornadoes typically have much higher wind speeds and can cause localized but extreme damage, while hurricanes are larger storms with more widespread impacts including heavy rainfall, storm surge, and strong winds that last for longer periods of time. Overall, the severity of each can vary depending on specific conditions.
A hurricane typically has the strongest winds, with maximum sustained winds reaching up to 180 mph or higher. Tornadoes can have winds that exceed 200 mph in the most severe cases, but they are much smaller in scale compared to hurricanes. Cyclones have similar wind speeds to hurricanes, as they are both types of tropical storms with intense winds.
Not sure what you mean by a funnel tornado. If you are referring to the Seymour, Texas tornado of April 10, 1979, it had a well-defined funnel and it was funnel-shaped. However, it did touch down so it was not merely a funnel cloud.
tornado clouds
A tornado that does not touch the ground is a funnel cloud.
A funnel cloud is like a tornado only it does not reach the ground.
A funnel cloud is a developing tornado that has not reached the ground.
That's correct! A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air that does not touch the ground. When it does reach the ground and make contact, it's then classified as a tornado.
A tornado starts out as a funnel cloud.
The "eye" of a tornado is at the center of the funnel.
To some extent, yes. A funnel cloud is the visible portion of a tornado. However, not all funnel clouds are tornadoes. If the winds associated with a funnel cloud do not reach the ground then it is not a tornado. Conversely, if the winds do reach the ground the term funnel cloud is not usually used, and the event is simply called a tornado.
A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air that does not reach the ground, while a tornado is a funnel cloud that extends to the ground and causes damage. Both are formed from the same weather conditions and can be associated with severe thunderstorms.