Final answer:
Tropical cyclones develop both north and south of the equator in the tropical regions between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, powered by warm ocean waters above 80 °F and the Coriolis effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tropical cyclones, known regionally as hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones, seemingly develop both north and south of the equator, but not directly on it. These storm systems form over warm ocean waters with temperatures above 80 °F, typically between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. They are driven by warm temperatures and the Coriolis force, which gives them their characteristic cyclonic rotation - counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.