World Book at NASA for Students
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A cyclone is a powerful storm. Hurricanes and tornadoes are two kinds of cyclones that can do a lot of damage.
All cyclones have two things in common. First, they have an area of low air pressure at their center. Air pressure is the weight of the air as it presses on things. Second, the winds of a cyclone spin toward the center.
Image to right: A cyclone storm develops at a low-pressure center. The heavy, cold air from the cold front lifts the lighter, warm air along the warm front. Clouds form and rain begins to fall. Credit: World Book diagram
Sometimes, cyclones form over the ocean in hot areas. If these cyclones develop winds of 74 miles (119 kilometers) per hour or more, they are called hurricanes or typhoons. Their winds can reach up to 180 miles (290 kilometers) per hour. They can bring thunder, lightning and very heavy rains.
How to cite this article: To cite this article, World Book recommends the following format: "Cyclone." The World Book Student Discovery Encyclopedia. Chicago: World Book, Inc., 2005.
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