Final answer:
A tropical cyclone formed in the northwestern Pacific Ocean is called a typhoon. This naming convention is based on the region where the storm develops, and these storms exhibit distinct counterclockwise rotations in the Northern Hemisphere due to the Coriolis effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
The alternative term used to describe a tropical cyclone when it is formed in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean is typhoon. Tropical cyclones occur in tropical regions over warm ocean waters and are known by different names depending on where they occur. In the North Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea, they are termed hurricanes, whereas in the Indian Ocean, they are simply called cyclones. The Coriolis force influences the rotation of these storms, causing them to spin counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Hurricanes develop over water that is warmer than 80 °F, often resulting in strong winds, heavy rains, and the characteristic cyclonic rotation. This rotation is counter-clockwise north of the equator due to the Coriolis effect. Major tropical cyclones can have profound impacts on the physical and cultural landscape when they make landfall.