Loop Current
The Loop Current is an ocean current in the Gulf of Mexico that comes up from between Cuba and the Yucatán penninsula and exits through the Florida Straits. As the summer progresses, the Loop bulges further to the northwest into the Gulf.
A possibly related feature is an area of warm water called the Eddy Vortex that exists near the center of the Gulf, south of Louisiana.
Sea surface level of both the Vortex and the Loop is up to 60 cm (24 inches) higher than surrounding water, indicating a deeper area of warm water beneath them. [1]
During 2005's Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, it was noted that the hurricanes greatly increased in strength as they passed over the warmer waters of the Loop Current. Overall, the Gulf of Mexico was 1° F (0.5° C) warmer than normal during this time. Yet, storms that crossed Florida as Category 1 increased to Category 4 and Category 5 intensity when they moved over the Gulf Loop.
Hurricane Andrew crossed it in 1992 after devastating Homestead, Florida. Hurricane Ivan rode the Loop Current twice in 2004. Finally, meteorologists speculate that Hurricane Camille managed to make landfall with fierce 190 mph (305 km/h) winds because it followed the Loop Current all the way up to shore near Pass Christian, Mississippi.
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