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 .
The term used to describe where the hurricane eye actually passes over land, usually used to describe the continental States rather than islands in the Caribbean.
Landfall is the time or place at which a tropical cyclone or waterspout moves onto land after previously being over water. For tropical cyclones, this is typically the point at which the center of the storm's eye comes ashore. This is also usually the area where most of the damage is done, since on one hand there is usually not much to be destroyed on water, and on the other hand cyclones weaken quickly after they have moved onto land.
Landfall is New Zealand's oldest and most prestigious literary journal. First published in 1947, it features new fiction and poetry, biographical and critical essays, cultural commentary, and reviews of books, art, film, drama and dance.