Cyclone

A rotating weather system in which winds circulate around a low-pressure center. Cyclones include tropical storms, extratropical storms, and smaller-scale vortices.

Coriolis effect: The apparent deflection of moving objects caused by Earth’s rotation. It helps organize large-scale winds into rotation around a cyclone’s pressure center.
Atmospheric pressure: The force per unit area exerted by the weight of the atmosphere. A cyclone’s defining center has lower pressure than its surroundings.
Tropical cyclone: A warm-core, nonfrontal storm system that forms over tropical or subtropical waters. It is the cyclone type powered chiefly by ocean heat and moisture.
Tropical cyclone forecasting: The prediction of a tropical cyclone’s track, intensity, and development. Forecasts estimate where a cyclone will move and how strong it may become.
Flood: An overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Cyclone rainfall and coastal surge can inundate wide areas.
Pressure gradient force: The force that accelerates air from higher toward lower atmospheric pressure. It drives air inward toward the low-pressure center.
Wind: The movement of air relative to Earth’s surface. Cyclones are organized circulations of wind.
Extratropical cyclone: A storm system that forms outside the tropics and derives energy from horizontal temperature contrasts. Its frontal structure and energy source distinguish it from tropical cyclones.
Storm surge: An abnormal rise of seawater driven toward shore by a storm’s winds and pressure. Cyclone-driven surge can cause severe coastal flooding.
Wind damage: Damage caused by the force or debris carried by strong winds. Cyclone winds can destroy buildings, trees, and power infrastructure.

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