Tropical cyclones develop in the tropics when the waters are at or near their warmest during the year. They are most common in the Atlantic Ocean from mid-summer to late fall. Typically, they travel on an east-to-west track that eventually turns poleward.

These systems can last as long as several weeks; produce strong storm surges; up to 50 cm (20 in) of rainfall a day; and contain winds of over 250 km h^-1 (155 mi h^-1) at their most severe.