Hurricanes form when several specific conditions align over warm ocean waters, typically between 5° and 20° latitude, and persist long enough to develop a organized, rotating system. The core processes are:

• Warm ocean temperatures: Water at or above about 26–27°C (79–81°F) provides the heat and moisture that fuel tropical convection and latent heat release, which powers the storm. This warmth represents the primary energy source for hurricane development.

• High humidity and a moist atmosphere: Abundant water vapor in the lower and middle troposphere supports vigorous thunderstorm activity around the storm’s center.

• Atmospheric instability and lifting: Strong updrafts cause air to rise, cool, and condense, releasing latent heat that warms the surrounding air and sustains further convection.

• A pre-existing disturbance and organized rotation: A seed disturbance (such as a tropical wave) can organize into a cyclonic system, with Coriolis force (Earth’s rotation) imparting the necessary spin. The Coriolis effect is essential for developing a closed, rotating circulation and prevents formation too close to the equator.

• Sufficient distance from the equator: The Coriolis effect is weak near the equator, so tropical cyclones typically form at least about 5° of latitude from the equator.

• Low vertical wind shear: A relatively uniform wind speed and direction with height helps the storm maintain its structure. Excessive shear disrupts organization and can prevent development.

• A developing low-pressure center that tightens and deepens: As warm air rises and moisture condenses, the central pressure drops and the system tightens its circulation, increasing wind speeds.

Lifecycle highlights:

• Tropical disturbance → tropical depression (wind speeds up to 38 mph) → tropical storm (winds 39–73 mph) → hurricane (winds ≥ 74 mph). Each stage involves increasing organization, rotation, and energy extraction from the ocean.

Notes and regional terminology:

• In different regions, these storms may be called hurricanes, typhoons, or tropical cyclones, but the underlying formation physics is the same.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to a quick-reference checklist or provide a simple diagram-like description of how a tropical disturbance evolves into a hurricane.