<P> The warm water and temperature contrast along the edge of the Gulf Stream often increase the intensity of cyclones, tropical or otherwise . Tropical cyclone generation normally requires water temperatures in excess of 26.5 ° C (79.7 ° F). Tropical cyclone formation is common over the Gulf Stream, especially in the month of July . Storms travel westward through the Caribbean and then either move in a northward direction and curve toward the eastern coast of the United States or stay on a north - westward track and enter the Gulf of Mexico . Such storms have the potential to create strong winds and extensive damage to the United States' Southeast Coastal Areas . </P> <P> Strong extratropical cyclones have been shown to deepen significantly along a shallow frontal zone, forced by the Gulf Stream itself during the cold season . Subtropical cyclones also tend to generate near the Gulf Stream. 75 percent of such systems documented between 1951 and 2000 formed near this warm water current, with two annual peaks of activity occurring during the months of May and October . Cyclones within the ocean form under the Gulf Stream, extending as deep as 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) beneath the ocean's surface . </P> <P> The theoretical maximum energy dissipation from Gulf Stream by turbines is in the range of 20 - 60 GW . One suggestion, which could theoretically supply power comparable to several nuclear power plants, would deploy a field of underwater turbines placed 300 meters (980 ft) under the center of the core of the Gulf Stream . Ocean thermal energy could also be harnessed to produce electricity using the temperature difference between cold deep water and warm surface water . </P> <Ul> <Li> Some of the RMS Titanic's victims, whose bodies were buoyed by lifebelts but were never found by rescue or recovery ships sent to find them, are surmised to have been carried away in the Gulf Stream . </Li> </Ul>

Where do warm and cold ocean currents come from