Hurricanes and typhoons only can form over large basins of warm water such as an ocean or gulf. This is due to the fact that they need a large amount of energy which is supplied by the heat from the warm ocean waters evaporating into the atmosphere.
Only tropical cyclones that form over the Atlantic Ocean or eastern Pacific Ocean are called “hurricanes.” Whatever they are called, tropical cyclones all form the same way. Tropical cyclones are like giant engines that use warm, moist air as fuel. That is why they form only over warm ocean waters near the equator.
Hurricanes form over the ocean, often beginning as a tropical wave—a low pressure area that moves through the moisture-rich tropics, possibly enhancing shower and thunderstorm activity. Recipe for a Hurricane Whipping up a hurricane calls for a number of ingredients readily available in tropical areas:.
Hurricanes occur near the equator where the water is warm. Warm water acts as their energy source. They also require a large enough basin to form and certain wind patterns that can initiate them. Most hurricanes occur in the Atlantic Ocean (north of the equator), in the Indian Ocean, and in the Pacific Ocean.
Another common question is “Where is a hurricane most likely to form?”.
Hurricanes primarily form in the north Atlantic, central north Pacific and eastern north Pacific oceans between June and November. Typhoons and tropical cyclones, which are also hurricanes, primarily form in the northwest Pacific ocean.
Where do most hurricanes occur in the US and why?
Sea surface temperature should be at least 26.5 °C (79.7 °F) to a depth of at least 50 m (160 ft).. Temperature gradient from lower to mid troposphere should be high so as to aid convection. High humidity from lower to mid troposphere. Low wind shear so that the cyclone can develop and grow.
The Pacific Ocean generates the greatest number of tropical storms and cyclones. The most powerful storms, sometimes called super typhoons, occur in the western Pacific. The Indian Ocean is second in the total number of storms, and the Atlantic Ocean ranks third.