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Water vapor carries a large amount of energy in the form of latent heat. It is this energy that powers a hurricane.

In a bit more detail:

The main factor is a condition called instability. Generally, the higher up in the atmosphere you go, the colder it gets. Similarly, if you lift a blob of air (called a parcel), it will cool as it rises. The rate at which the air cools with increasing altitude varies. If a lifted parcel becomes cooler than its surroundings it will sink back down and the atmosphere is said to be stable. If it remains warmer than its surroundings it will continue to rise and the atmosphere is said to be unstable. If there is enough moisture in the air, the cooling of the rising parcel will cause that moisture to condense. When that moisture condenses it releases heat into the air, slowing the rate of cooling and making it more likely that the parcel will remain warmer than its surroundings. This is essentially what leads to thunderstorm formation, and a hurricane is essentially an organized complex of thunderstorms. The rising air of the thunderstorms in a hurricane creates low pressure. The lower the pressure, the stronger the storm.

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Q: Why does moisture make hurricanes more powerful?
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Related questions

Why do warmers seas make a stronger hurricanes?

Generally, the warmer the ocean, the more moisture there is in the air. This moisture is what fuels a hurricane.


Can hurricanes be more powerful?

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Why do hurricanes get weaker when they hit land?

Hurricanes are form in water which makes it more powerful on water than on land.hoped my answer helped! :)


Do hurricanes need wind or sunlight to form?

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What powerful storm can kill more people and destroy more property than any other natural disaster?

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Why would a hurricane in the Caribbean be more powerful than if it was in the water off of New York?

Hurricanes gain their energy from moisture that evaporates from warm ocean water. The water of the Caribbean is warm enough to sustain a hurricane. The water off the coast of New York is not.


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Why do hurricanes form in polar regions?

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