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

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?

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

The Met Office's dynamical seasonal prediction model (GloSea) is used to forecast the number of tropical storms forming over the North Atlantic.

Forecast for July to November 2009

Verification of the 2008 forecast

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 current warnings and guidance

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.

Tropical cyclone forecast verification

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