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cyclogenesis

cyclogenesis

1 9.6
The formation of a cyclone or large storm in the air
  • noun
  • /ˌsaɪkloʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/
  • Specialized
: ciclogénesis
  • Cyclogenesis occurs when warm, moist air rises and cools, leading to the formation of a cyclogenesis.

Examples

  • Forecast models suggest explosive cyclogenesis and the risk of torrential rain and damaging winds in the Buenos Aires province and Uruguay.

    Blog text (29)
  • Meteorologists track cyclogenesis to predict severe weather events such as hurricanes.

  • The study of cyclogenesis helps scientists understand how storms form and strengthen in the atmosphere.

How Developed

hurricane
850 2.2
cyclone
34 3.7
cyclogenesis
  • Specialized
1 9.6
depression
  • Specialized
9 5.5
low
  • Specialized
8 5.5
disturbance
  • Specialized
73 4.1

Surface Forms

cyclogenesis singular
cyclogeneses plural

Morphology

cyclogenesis = genesis (semi-transparent) = cyclo + genesis

The word is built compositionally from 'cyclo-' and 'genesis', but the meteorological sense is specialized and not immediately obvious to many learners.

Etymology

The word cyclogenesis is made of two Greek parts: cyclo- meaning 'circle', as in the common word cycle, and -genesis meaning 'birth' or 'origin'. So cyclogenesis means the 'birth' of a circular storm, which is why we use it for the process when a cyclone or storm system forms.