Hurricanes form in the tropics, over warm ocean water (over 80ºF or 27ºC) and at latitudes between 8° and 20°, Hurricanes form mostly from June through November (hurricane season). Contrary to common belief, many factors other than warm ocean water cause hurricanes to form. Tornadoes are less limited. This cycle causes huge storm clouds to form. They form near the equator over warm ocean waters. For this reason, very warm, very moist air is the optimal fuel for the sustenance of a hurricane. Second answers (warm water and cool dry air) explanation: Hurricanes form over the warm ocean water of the tropics. Just as an oil fire speeds down an oil slick, a hurricane is fueled, partly guided and intensified by masses of warm, moist air that form over currents of warm ocean water. Hurricane dynamics. But when they pass over warm ocean waters they really pick up energy. This is what happened when Hurricane Katerina passed over the warm waters of … tropical winds (near the equator). Hurricanes form as large low pressure systems in the ocean but also sometimes on land and then can evolve to tropical storms, then tropical depressions and other stage up to a hurricane. warm temperatures. Ocean temperatures in the tropical East Pacific and the tropical Atlantic routinely surpass this threshold. Because this air moves up and away from the surface, there is less air left near the surface. Below this threshold temperature, hurricanes will not form or will weaken rapidly once they move over water below this threshold. Tropical cyclones are like giant engines that use warm, moist air as fuel. When warm moist air over the water rises, it is replaced by cooler air. When the surface water temps get above 80-degrees, and when the trade winds are light, and when there is already tropical storm weather in the area, the chances of a hurricane forming are great. A tropical disturbance can grow into a tropical depression if wind speeds within the system reach 38 miles per hour. The generic, scientific term for these storms, wherever they occur, is tropical … A hurricane begins as a tropical disturbance, which is a low pressure area over warm water characterized by thunderstorms and high humidity. Hurricanes are tropical storm systems that form only over warn ocean water. During the winter and spring, upper air winds are hostile, and usually do not allow tropical cyclone development. The second ingredient is distance from the equator. How Hurricanes Form and Die. The warm oceans act as a source of energy for hurricanes. Once wind speeds reach 39 miles per hour, the system can be classified as a tropical storm. The warm, moist air over the ocean rises upward from near the surface. 2. Actually, the term hurricane is used only for the large storms that form over the Atlantic Ocean or eastern Pacific Ocean. Hurricanes need four conditions to form: low air pressure. 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