Imagine a giant, spinning, weather machine that can cover an area hundreds of kilometers wide, bringing tremendous wind and rain. This powerful natural event is a typhoon, one of the most intense storms on Earth, and it begins far out over the warm ocean waters. These storms are massive tropical cyclones, rotating systems of clouds and thunderstorms that feed on heat and moisture. Understanding what a typhoon is and where it gets its energy helps people prepare and stay safe when one approaches.
The Giant Spinning Storm
A typhoon is a circular storm system defined by its extremely strong, spiraling winds and heavy rainfall. For a storm to earn the name “typhoon,” its sustained winds must be moving faster than 74 miles per hour (119 kilometers per hour). These massive storms feature a unique structure, with the most powerful winds whipping around a relatively calm center called the “eye.” The eye is like the quiet hole at the middle of a spinning donut, where the sky can clear up for a short time.
The name a storm receives depends entirely on where it forms over the ocean. While a storm in the Western Pacific Ocean is called a typhoon, the exact same type of storm is called a hurricane if it develops over the Atlantic Ocean or the Northeast Pacific. In the Indian Ocean, the same event is referred to as a cyclone. The location in the Northwest Pacific, near countries like the Philippines, Japan, and China, dictates the use of the term typhoon.
How Typhoons Get Their Power
Typhoons begin as small disturbances over tropical waters that are at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). This warm ocean water acts as the storm’s primary fuel source, much like food gives a person energy to grow and move. The heat from the water evaporates into the air, making it warm and moist, which then rises quickly into the atmosphere. As this air rises, it creates an area of lower pressure near the surface of the ocean, pulling in more air and causing the entire system to spin.
The rotation of the Earth, known as the Coriolis effect, helps the storm begin its signature circular motion, organizing the rising air and building the cloud walls. As long as the typhoon stays over the warm ocean, it continues to absorb heat and moisture, allowing it to grow bigger and stronger. The storm only starts to lose power when it moves away from its source of warm water and travels over cooler ocean temperatures or over land. Once a typhoon moves over land, it is cut off from its warm, moist supply, causing the winds to slow down and the heavy rains to ease.
Safety Rules During a Typhoon
When a typhoon is approaching, listen carefully to the adults around you and follow their instructions immediately. They will have a family emergency plan, which helps everyone know exactly what to do and where to go. You should help prepare the emergency kit, or “Go Bag,” which contains water, non-perishable food, flashlights, and a radio for listening to updates. This kit provides necessary items in case the power goes out or if you need to leave your house quickly.
During the storm, it is safest to stay indoors in a designated safe room, which is often on the lowest floor and away from windows. Strong winds can turn small objects into flying debris that could break glass, making windows dangerous places to stand near. Since power outages are common, it is a good idea to have books, board games, or other activities that do not require electricity to help pass the time. Remember to stay inside until local authorities give the official all-clear signal, indicating that the dangerous weather has completely passed.