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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.

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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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Why do warmers seas make a stronger hurricanes?

Warmer seas provide the energy that fuels hurricanes, as warm water evaporates and rises to form storm systems. The increased evaporation and water vapor in warmer seas contribute to the intensification of hurricanes, making them stronger and more destructive.


Why does hurricane intensity correlate with sea-surface temperature?

The warmer the sea surface, the more moisture evaporates. Hurricanes get their energy from the latent heat found in moist air. So, warmer seas, mean moister air, and thus more energy to power a hurricane.


How does the amount of humidity effect a hurricane?

The more humid the air the more potential there is for a hurricane to gain strength. Hurricanes get their energy from the latent heat stored in the moisture of the air, which is released when that moisture condenses.


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.


Why do some people blame the increasing number of hurricanes on global warming?

Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of hurricanes to global warming because the rising temperatures in the oceans provide more energy for storms to form and strengthen. The warmer ocean waters can lead to more moisture in the atmosphere, resulting in heavier rainfall and more destructive hurricanes.

Related Questions

Can hurricanes be more powerful?

yes!


What is the relationship between oceans and a hurricane?

Oceans provide the warm waters that fuel hurricanes, allowing them to strengthen and develop. The heat and moisture from the ocean surface are crucial elements for the formation and intensification of hurricanes. Warmer oceans can lead to more powerful and destructive hurricanes.


Do warmers seas make stronger hurricanes?

Yes, they do. And equally important, they make more. A hurricane can't form unless the sea below them is above 27 degrees celsius. It is the heat that causes air to rise, thereby causing other air to rush in the fill the space left by the rising air, which causes hurricanes and determines their strength.


Why do warmers seas make a stronger hurricanes?

Warmer seas provide the energy that fuels hurricanes, as warm water evaporates and rises to form storm systems. The increased evaporation and water vapor in warmer seas contribute to the intensification of hurricanes, making them stronger and more destructive.


Why does hurricane intensity correlate with sea-surface temperature?

The warmer the sea surface, the more moisture evaporates. Hurricanes get their energy from the latent heat found in moist air. So, warmer seas, mean moister air, and thus more energy to power a hurricane.


Do hurricanes need wind or sunlight to form?

Both in a way. Sunlight is what heats the oceans. The warm water the provides the moisture that fuels hurricanes. The wind generated by the precursor to a hurricane helps bring in more moisture to power the storm.


Does the earths core have raging storms?

yes, it does and their more powerful than the earths worst hurricanes


How does the amount of humidity effect a hurricane?

The more humid the air the more potential there is for a hurricane to gain strength. Hurricanes get their energy from the latent heat stored in the moisture of the air, which is released when that moisture condenses.


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

Hurricanes


What happens when hurricanes collide and merge?

When hurricanes collide and merge, they can combine to form a larger and more powerful storm. This can result in increased wind speeds, heavier rainfall, and more widespread destruction.


Which do scientists think would lead to more powerful hurricanes?

Warmer tropical oceans


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.