Yes, warmer ocean temperatures can contribute to the formation of more tropical storms and hurricanes, and can also potentially make them more intense.
Tropical storms and hurricanes are driven by the heat energy from warm ocean water. This heat energy is the fuel for these storms. When the surface temperature of the ocean is above about 26.5 degrees Celsius (around 80 degrees Fahrenheit), the heat and moisture from the ocean can rise into the storm, causing air pressure at the surface to drop. Lower pressure at the surface then draws in the surrounding air, causing the wind speed to increase.
Therefore, if the ocean is warmer, there is more heat energy available to power the storm, which can lead to more storms and also potentially increase their intensity.
However, while warmer ocean temperatures are a key factor, they are not the only one. Other conditions, such as atmospheric wind patterns, humidity, and the presence of pre-existing weather disturbances, also play significant roles in the formation and development of tropical storms and hurricanes.
Moreover, while the relationship between climate change, ocean temperatures, and hurricane activity is an area of ongoing research, scientists expect that continued warming of the planet may lead to more intense (though not necessarily more frequent) tropical cyclones and hurricanes in the future.