"Cyclonic storms" refers to weather systems characterized by low pressure areas and rotating winds. The IPA phonetic transcription of this term is /saɪˈklɒnɪk stɔːmz/. The word "cyclonic" is spelled with a y instead of an i because it is derived from the Greek word "kyklon," which means "moving in a circle." The addition of the suffix "-ic" means "related to," so the resulting adjective "cyclonic" describes something that is characteristic of or associated with circular movement.
Cyclonic storms, also referred to as cyclones or tropical cyclones, are powerful weather systems characterized by circulating winds and thunderstorms that rotate around a low-pressure center. These storms are primarily formed over warm oceanic waters near the Earth's equator, typically in tropical regions.
Cyclonic storms consist of a central eye, which is a calm area at the center of the storm, surrounded by a dense ring of towering clouds known as the eyewall. This eyewall is where the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall occur. The diameter of these storms can range from as small as a few miles to hundreds of miles, depending on their intensity.
These storms derive their energy from the warm ocean surface, as heat and moisture evaporate into the air, creating rising air currents. As the warm, moist air rises, it cools and forms cumulus clouds. Eventually, the released latent heat fuels the storm, causing strong winds to spiral inward toward the low-pressure center.
Cyclonic storms are known for their destructive nature, causing severe damage to coastal areas and islands. The high winds, torrential rainfall, and storm surges associated with these storms often lead to flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. They can also spawn tornadoes. Due to their potential for harm, cyclonic storms are closely monitored and tracked by meteorological organizations worldwide, allowing for timely warnings and evacuations to minimize loss of life and property.
The word "cyclonic storms" has its etymology in the Greek word "kyklos", meaning "circle" or "wheel". It is derived from the root "kyklōsis", which refers to a circular motion.
The term "cyclone" itself was originally used in meteorology to describe a specific type of atmospheric disturbance characterized by low pressure and inward rotating winds. In the mid-19th century, British meteorologist Henry Piddington used the term to describe the rotating storms that occur in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. He combined the Greek word "kyklos" with the ending "-one", meaning "large" or "great", to create the term "cyclone" for these intense weather systems.