There is a low at surface and a high aloft. Hurricanes form in areas with ocean temperatures of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and will die if ocean temperatures are below that. Remember warm ocean temperatures cause surface lows. A minimal hurricane requires sustained winds of 74 mph or more. Hurricanes generally move from east to west .
Hurricanes often originate as clusters of strong thunderstorms .
When these clusters cross into waters with surface temperatures of 82 degrees or higher, they can intensify into hurricanes. 82 degrees is the minimum water temperature that can support a hurricane. Hurricanes that stay on a track at a southerly latitude over such warm water tend to have the longest duration. Therefore, hurricanes will dissipate if they move over colder waters. Thus hurricanes may travel further northward than usual and may have an intact circulation very far north.