Difference Between Tornado and Typhoon

Natural disasters cause overwhelming damage to life and property. Two such disasters are tornadoes and typhoons. Though both are forms of intense weather conditions, they are distinct in terms of location, formation, size, intensity, and impact. In this article, we will explore the differences between tornado and typhoon.

Tornado

A tornado is a narrow, highly destructive rotating column of air that touches the ground. It has a localized nature and often appears suddenly. Tornadoes are most common in the United States, where they occur in a region called Tornado Alley. They can also be seen in other parts of the world, such as Central Asia, South America, Canada, and Australia.

Formation

Tornadoes form through a combination of vertical wind shear and strong updrafts. Vertical wind shear is the change in direction or speed of winds at different altitudes, while updrafts occur due to temperature differences between the earth’s surface and the atmosphere. When these two conditions combine, they create a horizontal “tube” of air, which stretches vertically and rotates due to the earth’s rotation.

Size and Intensity

Tornadoes can range in size from a few yards to over a mile wide, with the average size being about 500 feet wide. They can last from a few seconds to an hour or more. The intensity of a tornado is measured on the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale), which ranges from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). EF5 tornadoes can have wind speeds of over 200 mph, leading to catastrophic damage.

Impact

Tornadoes can cause significant damage to life and property. They can uproot trees, tear down buildings, and even flip cars. The damage caused by a tornado is highly localized, and the impacted area can be small or large. Tornadoes can also cause power outages and disrupt transportation networks.

Sample Python code for calculating wind speed of a tornado

import math

def calculate_wind_speed(rating):
    # Conversion factor for rating to wind speed
    conversion_factor = {
        'EF0': 65,
        'EF1': 87,
        'EF2': 110,
        'EF3': 137,
        'EF4': 166,
        'EF5': 200
    }

    # Calculate wind speed
    wind_speed = conversion_factor[rating] / math.sqrt(1.15)

    return wind_speed

rating = 'EF5'
wind_speed = calculate_wind_speed(rating)
print('The wind speed of an EF5 tornado is', wind_speed, 'mph')

The above code calculates the wind speed of a tornado, given its Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale) rating. It uses a conversion factor to convert the rating to wind speed, and then applies the formula to calculate the wind speed in miles per hour (mph).

Typhoon

A typhoon is a type of tropical cyclone that forms in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. It is a broad, rotating storm that can cause widespread damage to life and property. Typhoons are also called hurricanes in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Ocean and cyclones in the Indian Ocean.

Formation

Typhoons form over warm ocean waters near the equator. They start as low-pressure areas that suck in moist air from the surrounding area. The warm, moist air rises and cools, causing water vapor to condense and form storm clouds. As the storm system gains strength, it starts rotating due to the earth’s rotation, forming a spiral-shaped storm.

Size and Intensity

Typhoons can range in size from a few hundred miles to over 1,000 miles in diameter, making them much larger than tornadoes. They can last for several days or even weeks, moving slowly across the ocean. The intensity of a typhoon is measured on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which ranges from category 1 (weakest) to category 5 (strongest). Category 5 typhoons can have wind speeds of over 157 mph, leading to catastrophic damage.

Impact

Typhoons can cause significant damage to life and property. They can create high waves and storm surges that can inundate coastal areas. They can uproot trees, tear down buildings, and disrupt transport networks. Typhoons can also cause heavy rainfall, leading to flooding and landslides.

Sample Java code for calculating wind speed of a typhoon

import java.math.*;

public class TyphoonWindSpeedCalculator {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    String category = "5";
    double windSpeed = calculateWindSpeed(category);
    System.out.printf("The wind speed of a category %s typhoon is %.2f mph\n", category, windSpeed);
  }

  public static double calculateWindSpeed(String category) {
    // Conversion factor for category to wind speed
    double conversionFactor = 34.5 + 26.3 * (Math.log10(Double.parseDouble(category)));

    // Calculate wind speed
    double windSpeed = Math.pow(10, (conversionFactor - 1.67)) * 1.15;

    return windSpeed;
  }
}

The above code calculates the wind speed of a typhoon, given its category on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. It uses a conversion factor to convert the category to wind speed, and then applies the formula to calculate the wind speed in miles per hour (mph).

Conclusion

In conclusion, tornadoes and typhoons are both intense weather conditions that can cause significant damage to life and property. While tornadoes are highly localized and smaller in size, typhoons are broader, long-lasting, and affect larger areas. Both are rated based on their wind speed, with tornadoes measured on the Enhanced Fujita Scale and typhoons measured on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Being aware of the differences between tornadoes and typhoons can help people prepare better and take appropriate precautions before and during these events.