Cyclonic storms are a weather phenomenon characterized by low-pressure centers and circular motion. These storms are commonly known as hurricanes (in the Atlantic and East Pacific oceans) or typhoons (in the West Pacific). Other synonyms for cyclonic storms include tropical storms, tropical cyclones, and severe tropical weather. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, there are slight differences in their definitions. For example, a tropical storm typically has sustained wind speeds of 39-73 mph, while a hurricane has sustained winds of 74 mph or higher. No matter the name, cyclonic storms can be extremely destructive and impact millions of people each year.