cyclone

{{rfc-def}} A system of winds rotating around a center of low atmospheric pressure. A cyclone rotates counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere (opposite to that of an anticyclone). Modern meteorology restricts the use of the term cyclone to the cyclonic-scale circulations. But, it is still applied popularly to the more or less violent, small-scale circulations such as tornadoes, waterspouts, and dust devils (which may in fact exhibit anticyclonic rotation), and even, very loosely, to any strong wind. Because cyclonic circulation and relative low atmospheric pressure usually coexist, in common practice the terms cyclone and low are used interchangeably. Also, because cyclones nearly always are accompanied by inclement (sometimes destructive) weather, they are frequently referred to simply as storms.