Hurricane development does not occur if a temperature inversion exists in the atmosphere. Inversions develop in the tropics when subtropical high pressure systems produce sinking air. Also, hurricanes do not develop in the region 5 degrees either side of the equator. Within this region Coriolis force is negligible. Coriolis force is required for the initiation of cyclonic flow.
Hurricanes dissipate when their energy supply is substantially reduced.
This occurs either with landfall or storm movement into cooler seas. Most hurricanes live for about a week. However, if a hurricane remains over warm water its life can be extended. In 1992, hurricane Tina was an active tropical storm for 24 days over the North Pacific. The map in Figure 5u-4 shows the typical areas of hurricane development and the usual paths they take during their life.