A hurricane, typhoon, and cyclone are all the same type of tropical storm, but their names vary by region:
Hurricane: Forms in the North Atlantic and Northeastern Pacific (e.g., U.S., Caribbean).
Typhoon: Forms in the Northwestern Pacific (e.g., Japan, Philippines).
Cyclone: Forms in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific (e.g., Australia, South Asia).
The storm structure is identical across these terms; only the names differ based on location.
Forecasting Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones
Forecasting hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones is complex, and predicting their exact location, movement, and intensity can be difficult. At PredictWind, we recommend always reviewing all weather models to get the most accurate picture.
The GFS model (The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Global Forecast System model) may overestimate wind speeds, which can be misleading.
The ECMWF model (The European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecasting global forecast model) is recognized as the most accurate, with the highest rating from the National Weather Center for hurricane prediction.
Our PredictWind models, PWG and PWE, do not qualify for a rating as you need to be a National Weather Center. They are optimized for local and coastal conditions
Using Multiple Weather Models
The key to predicting Hurricanes, Typhoons and Cyclones is analyzing the position and movement of the storm’s center across all models.
The multi-model approach is essential for forecasting complex weather events:
Global models: ECMWF, GFS, UKMO, ICON, AIFS (best suited for large-scale weather events such as Hurricanes, Typhoons and Cyclones).
PredictWind models: PWG and PWE (high-resolution models optimized for local conditions and coastal forecasts).
If a model is predicting averages of 45 knots and above we would consider these conditions very extreme, gusts will be much higher. The most important prediction of a Hurricane, Typhoon or Cyclone is the position and the movement of the center.
By comparing these models, you'll get a more accurate forecast.
Tip: Use the Split screen feature in the PredictWind App and Forecast website to view models side by side.
Additional Forecast Tools in PredictWind
We recommend monitoring GMDSS text and AI graphical forecasts for Hurricanes, Typhoons and Cyclones, which can be accessed in PredictWind Maps using the PredictWind App, Forecast Website and can be downloaded into the Offshore App.
GMDSS text forecasts: Free to download in the Offshore App.
Graphical AI GMDSS forecasts: Available from the Basic subscription and up.
For more details, see our Help Article: AI-Generated GMDSS Maps.