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Satellite image of a large hurricane with a defined eye over the Gulf of Mexico, approaching the U.S. Gulf Coast.

What Is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is essentially a large tropical storm. 
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Hurricanes learn hard lessons in season-opening loss to No. 1 Gators • Nov. 2, 2026, 11:18 PM ET (Miami Herald)
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Transcript

Hurricane is essentially a large tropical storm. As water evaporates from the surface of the ocean, it cools and condenses to form clouds releasing heat to the atmosphere. If that takes place within the vicinity of a low-pressure system or an already established tropical storm or tropical depression, it can fuel that and make it stronger.

Hurricanes are typically found in areas that are surrounded by warm water just because that's the fuel supply for the hurricane. As you move further north or further south towards each of the poles, the water gets cooler and that action of evaporation is just not quite as intense. We do know that as hurricanes move over land, it's cut off from its supply of warm water and weakens.
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