Plain English Meaning
A weather system built around a low-pressure center, with air spiraling inward and upward. Lows on a weather chart are cyclones, and they generally bring clouds, wind, and precipitation.
Full Definition
A large-scale weather system in which air circulates around a center of low atmospheric pressure. In the Northern Hemisphere the circulation is counterclockwise; in the Southern Hemisphere it is clockwise. Cyclones are typically associated with rising air, cloud formation, and unsettled weather.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation weather reports, forecasts, weather briefings, and discussions of large-scale weather systems.
Derivation
From the Greek 'kyklon,' meaning 'moving in a circle' or 'whirling around.' That captures the essential idea: air rotating around a central point.
Why Pilots Care
Cyclones bring turbulence, icing, low ceilings, and strong winds that require route changes, altitude adjustments, or delays for safety.
Grounding Statement
Picture a broad weather system pulling air inward and making it turn as it moves toward the low-pressure center.
Intuition Check
A cyclone does not always mean a tornado or a hurricane. In aviation weather, it more generally means a rotating low-pressure system.
Example Sentence 1
The forecaster noted that a cyclone moving in from the west would bring lowering ceilings and rain along the planned route.
Example Sentence 2
We routed around the cyclone to avoid the associated widespread precipitation and turbulence.