Tropical cyclone

Imagine a big, spinning storm cloud that is extremely strong and powerful, like the ones you see in movies. But instead of lasting for only a few minutes, this kind of storm can last for several days or even weeks! This is called a tropical cyclone.

A tropical cyclone forms when warm, moist air over tropical oceans start to rise up into the atmosphere. As it rises, it cools and forms clouds. The whole process also causes a lot of wind to start swirling around and around, faster and faster.

When the wind inside the tropical cyclone reaches a certain speed, it becomes a "tropical storm". But if the wind gets even stronger, it becomes a "hurricane" (in some parts of the world, it's called a typhoon or cyclone depending on where it is located).

Hurricanes are very dangerous and can cause a lot of damage. They bring very strong winds that can knock down buildings, trees, and power lines. They also bring a lot of rain that can cause flooding.

People who live in areas that are prone to hurricanes need to be prepared to evacuate if they are advised to. They also need to take steps to protect their homes and belongings against strong winds and flooding.