On the importance of the sea-surface temperature on hurricane development. Numerical experiments

Abstract

This paper contains a brief description of how an increase in sea-surface temperature induces a decrease in surface pressure which, in turn, causes an increase in the hurricane maximum winds. Some observational support for this process is obtained from case-studies of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and the norteastern Pacific. A numerical model of a balanced, symmetric hurricane is used for theoretical tests of the process. Results of the tests verify, in essence, the validitv of the reasoning and, at the same time, give credence to the model. Experiments using our numerical model show that critical values of sea-surface temperature and, in addition, of the inflow angle are necessary conditions for hurricane development.