Windstorms

A windstorm is a powerful disturbance in the Earth's atmosphere affecting the surface and characterised by strong winds capable of causing damage.

Extratropical Cyclone

Extratropical cyclones (also known as depressions or lows) are defined as large scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes (normally between 30°- 60° N and S) of the Earth, having neither tropical nor polar characteristics. They are connected with fronts and horizontal gradients in temperature and dew point otherwise known as "baroclinic zones".

Extratropical cyclones can bring mild weather with a little rain and surface winds of 15-30 km/h (10-20 mph), or they can be cold and dangerous with torrential rain and winds exceeding 119 km/h (74 mph). Tropical Cyclones sometimes become extra-tropical, and while most quickly dissipate or are absorbed by another weather system, some can still retain winds of hurricane or gale force.

Severe Local Storm

A storm is any disturbed state of a planet's atmosphere, especially affecting its surface, and resulting in severe weather. It may be marked by strong winds (a wind storm), thunder and lightning (a thunderstorm), heavy precipitation, ice (ice storm), or wind transporting some material through the atmosphere (e.g. dust storm, snowstorm or hailstorm).

Tropical Cyclone

A tropical cyclone (also known as a hurricane or typhoon) is a storm system with a closed circulation around a centre of very low pressure and fueled by the heat released when moist air rises and condenses. Tropical Cyclones originate over tropical or subtropical waters, with organized deep convection and a closed surface wind circulation about a well-defined centre (the eye). Once formed, a tropical cyclone is maintained by the extraction of heat energy from the ocean at high temperature and heat export at the low temperatures of the upper troposphere.

Tropical cyclones are characterised by very high winds (>119km h), tornadoes, torrential rain (leading to mudslides and flash floods) and storm surges.