AN INVESTIGATION OF AIR-SEA INTERACTIONS, HURRICANE PREDICTIVE INDEX (HPI) AND 1995 HURRICANE ACTIVITY OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO

This research work is developed under the NCAS M II with Howard University and Jackson State University. The average sea surface temperature (SST) over the Gulf of Mexico was 29°C. Hurricanes usually develop over the waters with SST exceeding 26°C. Hurricanes get their energy from evaporation over large expanse of warm tropical water. Evaporation from warm sea surface produces water vapor that condenses and releases latent heat, which intensifies the storm. Therefore, sea surface temperature is considered a major force behind the development of a hurricane. Ocean-atmospheric interactions play a prevalent role in exchanging heat, momentum and moisture fluxes. In the present study, we further investigate air-sea interactions including heat, momentum and moisture fluxes over the Gulf of Mexico and their relation with hurricane Roxanne, which occurred during October 7-11, 1995. We also developed a Hurricane Predictive Index (HPI) to predict the formation and development of the hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. The index was tested for the hurricane Opal during the period of its formation and development.