Question about hurricane intensity

[ftolmsteen]

Is there a formula to figure the max out for a hurricane's windspeed and barometric pressure based on the earth's current climate? I figure there must be a speed limit on even the perfect of conditions.

[theavocado]

Is there a formula to figure the max out for a hurricane's windspeed and barometric pressure based on the earth's current climate? I figure there must be a speed limit on even the perfect of conditions.

Yes, it's called Maximum Potential Intensity or MPI. There is a product that shows current MPI around different regions here:

http://wxmaps.org/pix/hurpot.html

If you follow the links on the page up in the description there is a description on how they came up with their values. It does make some assumptions (like friction) so it's not gospel, but it does give a rough idea of what the potential is if everything else lines up.

[CrazyC83]

Why is the subtropical Atlantic (i.e. from 25-35N) so much warmer than most of the other bodies at the same latitude? The Atlantic at 40N is warmer in spots than the Pacific is at 25N.

[theavocado]

Why is the subtropical Atlantic (i.e. from 25-35N) so much warmer than most of the other bodies at the same latitude? The Atlantic at 40N is warmer in spots than the Pacific is at 25N.

The Gulf Stream. You'll notice that the 26.5 degree isotherm is around 35N in the Atlantic, and it's around 35N also in the West Pacific, attributed to the Kuroshio current.

[AL Chili Pepper]

Ocean currents in the northern hemisphere generally flow in a clockwise motion...western Atlantic warmer and eastern Atlantic cooler. Same in Pacific, and why it's normally cool all year long in San Francisco.