What is the difference between a hurricane, typhoon, and a tropical cyclone and how are they classified?
Hurricane, typhoon, and tropical cyclone are different names for the same weather phenomenon. A tropical cyclone is a rotating storm system characterized by low atmospheric pressure and strong winds. The term hurricane is used in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific Ocean, while the term typhoon is used in the western Pacific Ocean.

Classification of these storms is based on their wind speed. Tropical storms are storms with winds between 39 and 73 mph, while hurricanes and typhoons are classified as storms with winds greater than 74 mph. Additionally, a storm may be further classified as a Category 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 hurricane or typhoon, with Category 5 being the most intense.
Is there any difference between the three? If not why are they used interchangeably?
As I said before, the three terms are different names for the same phenomenon. That is why they can be used interchangeably.