What Is a Cape Verde Hurricane?

The Cape Verde region is a set of islands just off western Africa. Hurricanes that form in this region are referred to as Cape Verde storms. These hurricanes have a long trajectory over warm oceans - which are ideal conditions for hurricane intensification. Many Cape Verde storms move through the Caribbean and then enter the Gulf of Mexico or affect the East Coast. Others curve north into the open Atlantic. Cape Verde storms are often extremely intense hurricanes, because they have a long time to develop before they reach the US mainland.