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Consider the following statements regarding extratropical cyclones :
I. They usually develop in the mid and high latitudes.
II. They affect a much larger area as compared to tropical cyclone.
III. They move from east to west.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement I is correct: Extratropical cyclones (also known as temperate or mid-latitude cyclones) form in the mid and high latitudes, typically between 30° and 60° latitude in both hemispheres, where cold polar air masses meet warm subtropical air masses.
Statement II is correct: Extratropical cyclones cover a much larger area compared to tropical cyclones. While tropical cyclones are intense and compact (usually 200–500 km wide), extratropical cyclones can span thousands of kilometers across entire continents.
Statement III is incorrect: Extratropical cyclones move from west to east, steered by the prevailing westerlies. In contrast, tropical cyclones generally move from east to west, driven by the trade winds. Therefore, only statements I and II are correct.