1.
Converging surface winds
pick up heat and moisture from the warm ocean water
2.
Rising air expands, cools, and forms thunderstorms
which release latent heat and warm the air in the developing
hurricane
3.
Pressure decreases more slowly in warm low density air
the pressure at the top center of the hurricane is higher
than at the edges of the storm
4.
Diverging upper level winds
cause the surface pressure to drop
the storm intensifies
Here's another view of
hurricane development and intensification
Generally speaking the lower the surface pressure at the
center of a
hurricane the stronger the storm and the faster the surface winds will
blow. Also the stronger the storm, the narrower the eye in the
center of the hurricane.
Stages of storm development
Tropical disturbance
Tropical depression
Tropical storm
Hurricane
3 main hurricane features
Eye
Eye wall
Spiral rain bands
Easy to remember Saffir Simpson Scale
Storm surge
