Q: What are the differences between a cyclone, tornado and hurricane?
—John Wolfe, Atlanta
A: Hurricanes and cyclones are different names for the "same weather phenomenon," according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Severe storms – with sustained wind speeds of 74 mph or higher – are called cyclones when they occur in the south Pacific and Indian oceans, hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, and typhoons in the north Pacific Ocean. A hurricane (or cyclone) is a "rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation," according to the National Hurricane Center. A tornado is a " violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground" that can have wind speeds of up to 250 mph, NOAA states on its website.
Q: A recent Q&A stated that German church members pay a tax to support their churches, with the government giving the churches “annual allowances.” Are these allowances the entire amount of the taxes, or does the government retain a portion?
—Riley O’Connor, Brookhaven
A: The German government receives a portion of the church taxes in the form of a fee before paying churches their annual allowances. In return, the churches are expected to support social services, including hospitals, schools and day cares. Germany's church tax is considered too high by some church members, so they formally quit the church to avoid paying, The New York Times reported last year.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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