Hurricanes are picky about their real estate. They need warm ocean water—at least 80°F (26.5°C) down to about 150 feet deep. Think of it as a hot tub that stretches for miles. That’s why you’ll never see a hurricane pop up off the coast of Maine in January. Sorry, Maine, you’re just not warm enough to host this party.
Most hurricanes form over the tropical oceans, near the equator—but not right on it. The equator is actually too calm for them; they need a little spin from the Earth’s rotation to get going. It’s like trying to start a dance move without any music—you need the rhythm of the Earth’s Coriolis effect to start the twirl.
