"Breeding Grounds"
"Breeding Grounds"
In the eastern Pacific, hurricanes begin forming by mid-May, while in the
Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, hurricane development starts in
June. For the United States, the peak hurricane threat exists from
mid-August to late October although the official hurricane season extends
through November. Over other parts of the world, such as the western
Pacific, hurricanes can occur year-round.
Developing hurricanes gather heat and energy through contact with
warm ocean waters. The addition of moisture by evaporation from the sea
surface powers them like giant heat engines.