[nathanbedford]

Thanks for the explanation.

But does that not mean that this storm approaching Cabo San Luco is typhoon because of its place of origin? Or, does its direction of travel (NE) trump place of origin?

[petuniasevan]

This side of the International Date Line: Hurricane.

West of the Date Line: Typhoon.

It's just the names that are different.

And if a storm crosses the Date Line, its term changes!

Hurricane Ele became Typhoon Ele as it crossed the International Date Line in August 2002.

[AgThorn]

I didn't read that this hurricane originated in the "western pacific", did I miss something?

And since it's in the "eastern pacific" it is correctly named Hurricane.

But if I did miss that this storm crossed the entire pacific, I can understand your question ...