Final answer:
If a hurricane moves from the Atlantic Ocean into the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it is likely to intensify due to more energy available from higher temperatures. This can lead to stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and increased potential for damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypothesizing how a hurricane moving from east to west might be affected by higher temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico compared to the Atlantic Ocean involves understanding the mechanics of hurricane formation and intensity. Hurricanes develop over water that is warmer than 80 °F. The warm temperatures are critical as they fuel the storm's intensity.
The higher the ocean temperature, the more energy available to power the hurricane. Hence, if the hurricane moves into the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean, the increased temperatures can lead to more intense storms, with stronger winds and heavier precipitation.
This intensification happens because warm water leads to more evaporation, adding moisture to the air. As this moist, warm air rises, it cools and condenses to form clouds and rain. The release of heat during condensation further warms the air, lowering the atmospheric pressure and drawing in more air from the surroundings, which in turn speeds up the wind.
Therefore, a hurricane entering the warmer waters of the Gulf can potentially become more powerful, with increased risks of heavy rainfall and strong winds that exceed 100 mph, elevating the potential for extensive damage, including infrastructure destruction and possibly higher economic losses.