What about Gulf temp...my husband went diving last weekend in the Gulf and the water temp was a lot cooler than it has been. He needed a wetsuit so I think temps are in the mid to low 70’s (offshore.) But I wondered how the water temp would affect a storm at this time of year?
According to NDBC Data Buoy 42003 located in the south Gulf at 26.044 N 85.612 W (26°2'38" N 85°36'42" W), the sea water temp at the buoy is 80.2 degrees and could easily support a hurricane.
Here is the url of that buoy:
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=42003