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Tropical cyclones

 

Tropical cyclones are amongst the most powerful and destructive meteorological systems on earth. Globally, 80 to 100 develop over tropical oceans each year. Many of these make landfall and can cause considerable damage to property and loss of life.

North Atlantic tropical storms seasonal forecast

Hurricane Isabel 2003Dynamical seasonal prediction models from the Met Office (GloSea) and ECMWF are used to forecast the number of tropical storms forming over the North Atlantic.

Forecast for July to November 2010

Verification of the 2009 forecast

Tropical cyclone current warnings and guidance

Tropical cyclone current warnings and guidance

Tropical cyclone forecast guidance is produced by the Met Office and used by various other met. centres in the production of their tropical cyclone warnings.

Tropical cyclone forecast verification

Tropical cyclone short-period forecast verification

The Met Office produces forecasts for every tropical cyclone which develops and also verifies the quality of these forecasts. Charts and statistics assessing the forecast performance are produced for each tropical cyclone.

Past tropical cyclones

Past tropical cyclones

How many tropical cyclones have there been in recent years and which places have been hit by them? Information on the frequency and tracks of recent tropical cyclones and some images.

Tropical cyclone facts

Tropical cyclone facts

Who decides what the next name is going to be? What's the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon? Is climate change affecting tropical cyclones?

For queries on the Met Office involvement in tropical cyclone forecasting, email tropical_cyclones@metoffice.gov.uk.


Related internet links

Tropical cyclone FAQ

The Met Office is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.