What is a tropical storm?
A tropical storm is a very powerful low-pressure weather system. It has strong winds and heavy rainfall that can be disruptive and dangerous.
Tropical storms are given different names around the world:
- hurricanes in the US and the Caribbean
- cyclones in South Asia
- typhoons in East Asia
- willy-willies in Australia
They all develop in the same way, have the same characteristics and are all tropical storms.
Distribution of tropical storms
Satellites are used to track the movement of hurricanes, so that people are better prepared before they arrive. Note the size, the swirls of cloud, and the eye at the centre.