Dynamics of Surface Heat Fluxes in the Tropical Zone of the Atlantic during Periods of Origination of Hurricanes

The results of an analysis of the images of surface heat fluxes obtained from satellite microwave and infrared radiometric measurements in the areas of the origination of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and tropical Atlantic are presented. It is stated that the intensity of the latent and sensible heat fluxes over 4–5 days preceding the origination of hurricanes increases and the fluxes are localized in certain areas—hurricane centers. The maximum values of the heat fluxes are reached simultaneously with the transition of tropical formations from the stage of a tropical storm to the stage of a tropical hurricane.