Abstract
Tropical cyclones are cloud-filled vortexes that develop above the oceans' tropical regions, from which they also draw energy. The concentrated mass of storm clouds cause a localized drop in air pressure, convergent air currents and the rotation of the entire system.
In addition to high wind speeds, the primary dangers of tropical storms include storm surges and intense rain. In contrast to extratropical cyclones, tropical cyclones tend to be smaller in areal extent, yet deeper and consequently more destructive.
Nearly 100 storms each year attain the status of tropical storm. These are carefully monitored with help from meteorological satellites.
The greatest numbers of tropical cyclones tend to be detected in the western Pacific; typhoons in this region more frequently reach the greatest intensities. In contrast with other world regions, tropical cyclones occur here throughout the year, although as with other parts of the world the season reaches its climax two months after the summer solstice - in conjunction with the heating patterns of the world's oceans.