what is typhoon

A typhoon is a tropical cyclone that develops between 180° and 100°E in the Northern Hemisphere, specifically in the Northwestern Pacific Basin. It is characterized by strong winds and heavy rainfall. The Hong Kong Observatory classifies typhoons into three categories: typhoon, severe typhoon, and super typhoon, based on their wind speeds. A typhoon has wind speeds of 64–79 knots, a severe typhoon has winds of at least 80 knots, and a super typhoon has winds of at least 100 knots. The United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center unofficially classifies typhoons with wind speeds of at least 130 knots. Typhoons are similar to hurricanes and cyclones, which are regional names for tropical cyclones. The main difference lies in their locations: hurricanes occur in the Atlantic and East Pacific, typhoons in the West Pacific, and cyclones in the Indian Ocean and near Australia. All tropical cyclones draw heat from warm water at the oceans surface to power horizontal, rotating wind, and they have a spiral or circular system of strong winds rotating around an eye. The terms "hurricane" and "typhoon" are regionally specific names for a strong "tropical cyclone".