Iks 



INTRODUCTION 



The relationship between sea- surface temperatures and the intensity 

 of hurricanes is becoming more evident with the increasing comprehension of 

 the oceanographic environment. Recent studies by Fisher (1957)> Perlroth 

 (1962), and Tisdale and Clapp (1963) indicate that energy exchange between sea 

 and air is one of the major factors governing hurricane structure . Namias 

 (1962) found similar evidence in studying the behavior of typhoon Freda in 

 September 1962. For the following study on the effects of energy exchange 

 upon the behavior of hurricanes ^ the author has selected hurricane Ginny 

 (October 1963) as the main example to serve his purpose. 



To fully understand the interaction between the sea and the atmosphere, 

 we need a detailed analysis of the sea-surface temperature field. Due to 

 the inherent difficulties in obtaining sea-surface temperatures in the im- 

 mediate vicinity of hurricanes, a composite data anlysis was performed im- 

 ediately before the storm's passage. 



Previous studies by Gibson (1962) and Perlroth (1962) have shown that 

 construction of 10-day composite sea-surface temperature charts with definable 

 temperature patterns is possible. It is believed that the extent of order 

 and stability of 10-day composite sea-surface temperature patterns permit 

 such charts to be representative of the steady- state structure of the 

 tem.perature field for any given day during the indicated period. 



In this study attempts are made to relate the fluctuation of hurricane 

 intensity with the sea-surface temperature pattern. No conclusive evidence 

 is present that a hurricane follows a track which lies over the warmest water 

 (Fisher, 1957); however, hurricane Ginny (October I963) appeared to traverse 

 the core of the Gulf Stream for a long time . It is believed that under 

 unusual atmospheric conditions (devoid of any major steering currents), the 

 paths of hurricanes may be influenced by areas of maximum energy exchange . 

 The cycloidal character of many hurricane tracks might be attributed to the 

 influence of pronounced sea-surface temperature patterns. 



It is also believed that energy obtained from the sea is not the sole 

 controlling factor governing hurricane intensity and fluctuation of central 

 pressure; however, if a hurricane remains tropical in its character and is 

 not extensively influenced by any cold fronts or extratropical troughs, there 

 appears to be substantial evidence of the effect of energy exchange on 

 hurricane structure . 



