Weather Dictionary / Glossary of Terms

Landfall


   Weather TermDescription / Definition
   Landfall The intersection of the surface center of a tropical cyclone with a coastline. Because the strongest winds in a tropical cyclone are not located precisely at the center, it is possible for a cyclone's strongest winds to be experienced over land even if landfall does not occur. Similarly, it is possible for a tropical cyclone to make landfall and have its strongest winds remain over the water. Compare direct hit, indirect hit, and strike.


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Data courtesy of NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration