Hurricanes, page 4 of 11 With all the different factors in mind let's walk through a potential hurricane formation scenario.
Air converging along an easterly wave initiates convection.
Over several days the convection heats and moistens the mid-atmosphere. This moistening of the atmosphere is important as it adds to the instability of the atmosphere while reducing the potential for cold downdrafts. This process takes several days to occur and is another reason why the thunderstorm complexes need to persist for several days in a low shear environment so that the modified air hangs around. Eventually the warming of the mid-atmosphere generates a warm core low and air begins to spiral into the system. Low shear levels also keep the heating induced by the thunderstorms in a localized area, ensuring that a warm core can form.