Where do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean most often form in the following key regions:

1. The Caribbean Sea: Warm waters and favorable conditions make this a common area for hurricane formation.

2. The Gulf of Mexico: This enclosed body of water has warm waters that can intensify storms.

3. The Tropical Atlantic (off the coast of West Africa): Many hurricanes, known as Cape Verde hurricanes, originate from tropical waves that move off the coast of Africa, near the Cape Verde Islands, and develop as they move westward.

4. The Western Atlantic: Hurricanes often form or intensify as they approach the southeastern U.S. coast, including areas near Florida and the Bahamas.

These areas are within the "hurricane belt," where ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions are ideal for hurricane development during the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 to November 30).