2006-09-14 13:42:46 · 5 answers · asked by talar y 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Because they need the warm tropical moisture. Think about how severe thunderstoms can be in the summer or in the Carribbean Islands. The parts of the ocean where they form are the perfect environments.
2006-09-14 13:47:55 · answer #1 · answered by jax 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The fuel for a tropical cyclone is provided by a transfer of water vapour and heat from the warm ocean to the overlying air, primarily by evaporation from the sea surface. As the warm, moist air rises, it expands and cools, quickly becoming saturated and releasing latent heat through the condensation of water vapour. The column of air in the core of the developing disturbance is warmed and moistened by this process. The temperature difference between the warm, rising air and the cooler environment causes the rising air to become buoyant, further enhancing its upward movement.
The vertical motion of warm air is by itself inadequate to initiate the formation of a tropical system. However, if the warm, moist air flows into a preexisting atmospheric disturbance, further development will occur. As the rising air warms the core of the disturbance by both release of latent heat and direct heat transfer from the sea surface, the atmospheric pressure in the centre of the disturbance becomes lower. The decreasing pressure causes the surface winds to increase, which in turn increases the vapour and heat transfer and contributes to further rising of air. The warming of the core and the increased surface winds thus reinforce each other in a positive feedback mechanism.
2006-09-15 15:45:16 · answer #2 · answered by Britannica Knowledge 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They get their energy from the evaporation of alot of water into water vapor. That water vapor rises, and condenses (as rain showers & thunderstorms), which releases heat higher up in atmosphere. When enough heat is released higher up in the atmosphere, the surface pressure starts lowering and eventually a low pressure circulation will form at the surface.
Oceans with water temperatures of 27C/80F or higher are needed to support this evaporation/condensation process (well, that specific temperature is needed to ensure that the condensation occurs high enough in the atmosphere).
2006-09-14 20:51:08 · answer #3 · answered by tbom_01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it is there. No actually it is the warm water that gives a hurricane its strength
2006-09-15 11:15:12 · answer #4 · answered by bprice215 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because when they form over land they're called tornadoes.
2006-09-14 20:50:23 · answer #5 · answered by Catspaw 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋