A violent storm can take many forms, and there are several synonyms to describe them. One example is a hurricane, which is a tropical cyclone with powerful winds of over 74 miles per hour. Another term is a typhoon, which is similar to a hurricane but occurs mainly in the Western Pacific Ocean. A tornado, on the other hand, is a violent rotating column of air that can cause severe damage to anything in its path. A tempest is a powerful storm with high winds and often accompanied by thunder and lightning. Finally, a gale is a strong wind blowing at 32-63 miles per hour that can cause damage and destruction.