The following table shows the Difference Between Extratropical and Tropical Cyclones:
| Extratropical Cyclones | Tropical Cyclones |
|---|---|
| Extratropical cyclones can last for 15 to 20 days. | In a tropical cyclone, the wind velocity is much higher and more destructive. |
| They cover a larger area and can originate on land or at sea. | They only occurs over the seas and dissipates when it reaches land. |
| They develop in extratropical areas between 30 and 60 degrees latitude. | They form in warm tropical and subtropical ocean waters (5 degrees – 30 degrees latitude). |
| In extra-tropical cyclones, the frontal system is present. | In tropical cyclones, the frontal system is absent. |
| They derive their energy from the difference in horizontal air mass temperatures on either side of a front. | They get their energy from warm ocean water and the latent heat released when rising air condenses to form clouds. |
| Extratropical cyclones move from west to east. | Tropical cyclones move west to east. |
| They are classified as Temperate Cyclones, Middle Latitude Cyclones, Frontal Cyclones, and Wave Cyclones. | Their names vary depending on where they are. They are referred to as: Cyclones (Indian Ocean) Hurricanes (Atlantic) Typhoons (Western Pacific and South China Sea) Willy-willies (Western Australia). |
| These cyclones don’t cause a lot of damage. However, the Braer Storm of 1993 was the most intense extratropical cyclone ever recorded over the northern Atlantic Ocean and the strongest ever recorded globally. | Generally, a tropical cyclone doesn’t last longer than seven days. |
Read Also: How do Extra Tropical Differs from Tropical Cyclones
