
2 to track the movement and estimate the intensity of tropical cyclones. Weather forecasters use satellite images like that in Fig. This means that a tropical cyclone tends to be more circular and it’s center will have a cloudless region. The stronger and more intense a tropical cyclone becomes, the more symmetrical the inner clouds or rainbands are and a distinctive “eye” at the center of circulation becomes visible. In the Western Pacific Ocean, tropical cyclones can form in any month of the year.Ī tropical cyclone can be seen in a satellite image due to its characteristic spiral/circular shape.

The term tropical cyclone encompasses tropical depressions, tropical storms, typhoons and hurricanes.Īfter formation, tropical cyclones usually move to the west and generally slightly poleward, then may “recurve,” that is, move into the mid-latitude and back toward the east.

Tropical cyclones rotate in a counterclockwise direction in the northern hemisphere (conversely, clockwise in the southern hemisphere).

Tropical cyclone is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over the tropical waters.
