What are hurricanes called in Australia?
Hurricanes are often referred to as typhoons, cyclones or twisters. However, the proper term used for a hurricane in Australia is a Tropical Cyclone. It is given this name because the cyclone forms over tropical and subtropical waters, which is generally what surrounds Australia. A cyclone storm develops at a low-pressure centre. The heavy rain from the cold front lifts the lighter, warm air along the warm front. Clouds form and rain begins to fall. The rain can create severe impacts by causing floods and landslides, and through the direct damage of materials by contact, such as being driven by wind into buildings. A tropical cyclone may bring winds up to 180 miles per hour and once it has reached this speed, it is classed as severe. The tropical cyclone is possibly the most feared weather phenomena to affect Australia. Although Australia has not suffered at the hands of a cyclone as severely as other countries, these monsters of human nature have still had a lasting impact. The most f
A ‘Willy-Willy’ is a dust tornado – sometimes called a ‘dust devil’ in other parts of the world. They usually occur in dry arid inland locations and can have a strength from a near invisible uplift draft that barely lifts a loose spinifix (tumbleweed) bush to a severe type that is very visible (from the dust) and can be quite destructive.
