Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that have winds higher than 64 knots of power. They circulate different ways in each of the two atmospheres. In the Northern Hemisphere they circulate counter clockwise, and in the Southern Hemisphere, they circulate clockwise. Hurricanes are a very complex storm that takes place in the ocean. Hurricanes can be formed by the simplest thunderstorm, but only if the atmosphere and the ocean is involved at the same time. Heat and moisture are the main source where the hurricane gets its power and energy. The ocean temperature needs to be warmer than 81 degrees Farenheit. In addition to the warm ocean temperature, there needs to be high humidities in the lower and middle Tropospheres for a hurricane to develop. Because the need for a high humidity rate is important, the lack of evaporation fuels the system to continue building strength. If the storm passes through colder water temperatures, the storm will grow weaker quickly, that's why you find hurricanes developing near the equator where the water stays relatively warm. Another factor in the development of a hurricane is the need for vertical wind shear. The wind shear is the amount of change in the winds direction or speed with increasing altitude. The wind shear is also a factor when determining what type of storm is being developed and how strong the storm is going to be. (Hall, Growth Processes)
             The initial development of a hurricane, from a group of thunderstorms, can be formed in three different ways. The first way is the InterTropical Convergence Zone that is basically an almost solid circle of thunderstorms. The ITCZ can be found all over the globe mostly in the tropical areas. The second way hurricanes can be formed is by the eastward moving atmospheric waves, commonly known as the easterly waves. Easterly waves are similar to waves found in the middle latitudes, except they are only found in the easterly trade-flow. Con...