Questions and Answers about Hurricanes
... Answer: Hurricanes are intense low pressure areas that form over warm ocean waters during the summer and early fall. The source of energy for hurricanes is water vapor, which is evaporated from the ocean surface. Water vapor is the "fuel" for the hurricanes because it releases the "latent heat of condensation" when it condenses to form clouds and rain. ... With the removal of the energy source, and the greater surface friction of the lands terrain and vegetation, the hurricanes winds rapidly decrease.