When looking at different storms, especially those with rotating winds, it can be hard to know the difference between them — however, the key difference between a tornado and a cyclone is where and why it forms. A cyclone forms over water, while a tornado forms over land.

Which is worse cyclone or tornado?

Hurricanes tend to cause much more destruction than tornadoes because of their size, duration and variety of ways to damage items. ... Tornadoes, in contrast, tend to be a mile or smaller in diameter, last for minutes and primarily cause damage from their extreme winds.

What is the difference between cyclone hurricane and tornado?

What is the difference between cyclone, hurricane, tornado and twister? Technically, a cyclone is any kind of circular wind storm. ... Hurricanes occur in the Atlantic and typhoons, in the Pacific. Basically, hurricanes and typhoons form over water and are huge, while tornados form over land and are much smaller in size.