Typhoons and hurricanes are some of the most powerful and destructive weather systems in the world. What are the differences ...

With this year’s hurricane season under way, Al Jazeera visualises the differences between various storm systems.

Cyclones form over warm oceans, gaining energy as they move. Warm air near the ocean surface absorbs water vapor and rises, beginning the process.

A bomb cyclone's winds can reach hurricane force - 74 miles (119 km) per hour - and stronger. These storms tend to form during winter and can spawn copious amounts of precipitation.

Although extremely potent storms have formed in the Atlantic, the most powerful tropical cyclones on record have formed in the Pacific, which gives storms more room to grow before they make ...