Differences between a Cyclone and a Tornado

Size

• A tornado is smaller than a cyclone, usually with a diameter that spans less than a mile. A cyclone, on the other hand, usually has a diameter that spans hundreds of miles. While a tornado is a single storm system, a cyclone is composed of several storms.

Speed

• While a cyclone is larger, a tornado has faster winds and greater speed. The winds of a tornado can reach more than 300 miles per hour in some cases, whereas the winds of a hurricane peak at 200 miles per hour or less. A tornado usually forms, touches ground and dissipates with greater speed than a cyclone, which usually takes days to form, touch ground and dissipate.

Location

• Tornadoes usually occur on land when hot, moist air rises to meet cold air and causes instability, resulting in thunderstorms, high winds and the development of the tornado. Cyclones, on the other hand, always occur over water. They die out shortly after reaching land due to the loss of moisture.

Duration

• Cyclones and tornadoes have vastly different durations. The winds of a tornado are driven by a clash of air pressures and temperatures. Eventually, the cooler, drier air overpowers the hotter, moist air and the clash between them dies down. This causes the storm to subside, usually in a matter of minutes. In contrast, a cyclone is so large and vast that the winds do not usually die out for several days.