ESS200A
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Conditions Necessary for Hurricane
Formation
qHurricanes form only over deep water layers with
surface temperatures in excess of 27
oC.
qEnergy is derived from latent
heat release and associated evaporation
of water
qPoleward of about 20o,
water temperatures are usually below this threshold
qHurricanes are most frequent in late summer and
early autumn during high SST times
qCoriolis force is
an important contributor, and as such, hurricanes do not
form equatorward of 5o.