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• The intersection of the surface center of a tropical cyclone with a coastline. Because the strongest winds in a tropical cyclone are not located precisely at the center, it is possible for a cyclone's strongest winds to be experienced over land even if landfall does not occur. Similarly, it is possible for a tropical cyclone to make landfall and have its strongest winds remain over the water. Compare direct hit, indirect hit, and strike.

  NOAA National Weather Service - Cite This Source - This Definition
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  Cite Definition for Landfall

  American Psychological Association (APA)

  Landfall. (n.d.). National Weather Service Glossary. Retrieved February 4, 2023, from website: http://www.expertglossary.com/definition/landfall.

  Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)

  Landfall. www.weather.gov. National Weather Service Glossary. NOAA National Weather Service. http://www.expertglossary.com/definition/landfall (accessed: February 4, 2023).

  Modern Language Association (MLA)

  "Landfall." National Weather Service Glossary. NOAA National Weather Service. 4 February. 2023 http://www.expertglossary.com/definition/landfall.

All > Science > Weather > Hurricane Weather

• The intersection of the surface center of a tropical cyclone with a coastline. Because the strongest winds in a tropical cyclone are not located precisely at the center, it is possible for a cyclone's strongest winds to be experienced over land even if landfall does not occur. Similarly, it is possible for a tropical cyclone to make landfall and have its strongest winds remain over the water. Compare direct hit, indirect hit, and strike.

  National Hurricane Center - Cite This Source - This Definition
  ×

  Cite Definition for Landfall

  American Psychological Association (APA)

  Landfall. (n.d.). Glossary of National Hurricane Center Terms. Retrieved February 4, 2023, from website: http://www.expertglossary.com/definition/landfall.

  Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)

  Landfall. www.nhc.noaa.gov. Glossary of National Hurricane Center Terms. National Hurricane Center. http://www.expertglossary.com/definition/landfall (accessed: February 4, 2023).

  Modern Language Association (MLA)

  "Landfall." Glossary of National Hurricane Center Terms. National Hurricane Center. 4 February. 2023 http://www.expertglossary.com/definition/landfall.

• Browse Related Terms: Center / Vortex Fix, Central North Pacific Basin, Direct Hit, Eastern North Pacific Basin, Eye, Eyewall / Wall Cloud, Hurricane Season, Indirect Hit, Invest, Landfall, Major Hurricane, Radius of Maximum Winds, Strike, Synoptic Track, Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day