What is the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon?

Hurricanes occur in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific ocean, and typhoons takes place in the western Pacific ocean. Both hurricanes and typhoons are tropical cyclones, which are masses of air that gather around low pressure centers forming a spiral pattern.

Hurricanes and typhoons both take place in warm areas and bring heavy winds, rain, floods and tornadoes. On average, more typhoons than hurricanes take place annually. Approximately 25 to 30 typhoons and 10 to 15 hurricanes occur each year. Typhoons are stronger than hurricanes. The western Pacific has warmer water, making the region more conducive to storms. Warmer water also explains the greater frequency of typhoons over hurricanes.