Which broad cyclone type best classifies Biparjoy, the 2023 storm?

Concept

Tropical cyclones are warm-core, non-frontal rotating storm systems that form over warm tropical or subtropical oceans. Mid-latitude cyclones, by contrast, are associated with fronts and temperature differences between air masses outside the tropics.

Application

The India Meteorological Department recorded Biparjoy over the Arabian Sea from 6 to 19 June 2023 and classified it as an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm. That is a tropical-cyclone category in the North Indian Ocean classification system.

Contrast

• A mid-latitude cyclone is driven by frontal temperature contrasts outside the tropics, which is a different formation mechanism.

• Sea storm is only a broad descriptive phrase for rough or violent weather at sea; it is not the specific scientific classification asked for here.

• More than one of the above would require at least two listed scientific classifications to apply at the same level.

• None of the above would apply only if no listed scientific classification fit.

Result

Therefore, Biparjoy was a tropical cyclone.