Page 1 of 1

Do warm shallow bodies of water affect development of tropic

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:30 pm
by K in PBCoFl
weather? After watching both Wilma and Fay surprise forcasters by maintaining or increasing their strength, I wonder if they are taking the warm water over much of S Florida and Lake Okeechobee into their forcast accounts. If not, why not?

Sorry if this is a dumb or repeat question. It is my first to the board.

Thanks for any response as this season heats up.

K

Re: Do warm shallow bodies of water affect development of tropic

Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:48 am
by meteorologist
Lake Okeechobee would be to small a water body to significantly effect the strength of a typical large scale hurricane. The water temperature during the summer months around southern Florida and also the Gulf of Mexico would be far more important for maintaining or increasing strength, among other factors.

Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:21 pm
by brunota2003
It may be possible that marshes, which can extent for miles inland and cover most of the coast, could help *slightly*