Warm water provides fuel for tropical storms to increase strength and become fierce hurricanes.

CNN: NOAA predicts two or three hurricanes to hit U.S.

"Hurricanes thrive on warm water so once they move past the the Gulf, to go over land, they no longer have that fuel that warm water supplies, so they will weaken, " said Kines.

FORBES: Market Scan

Heaters, blankets, warm clothing and heating fuel are some of the most pressing needs for the winter months, in addition to food, shelter and mattresses.

CNN: Syrian refugees in Lebanon facing bitter winter

Even those with access to a heater rarely have enough fuel to keep warm.

CNN: Syria's 'urban refugees' struggle for survival

C. yesterday to build momentum toward a larger, harder and much more controversial goal: persuading colleges to drop their investments in companies like Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and BP because the burning of their fossil fuel reserves will warm the planet beyond recognition.

FORBES: Is It Time To Divest From Exxon?

Earlier this year, the groups warned that warm homes were in danger of becoming a luxury as escalating fuel costs were "blighting the lives" of millions of families.

BBC: A pensioner by a heater

MPs and MSPs will visit fuel-poor housholds across the UK as part of Warm Homes Week, organised by National Energy Action.

BBC: MPs to learn about living in the cold

Lilliputian's engineering miracle was in designing a tiny solid-oxide fuel cell that instead of melting everything in its vicinity is merely warm to the touch.

FORBES: Pip-squeak Power Plant

The firm said it had also been hit by warm weather, which reduced demand for heating oil, and lower sales of jet fuel as the aviation industry struggled to recover from the aftermath of 11 September.

BBC: Bad news cocktail hits Exxon profits

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani received a warm welcome as he met Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party leaders on Friday to see if his fuel price reversal could entice the party back into government.

BBC: Pakistan fuel price U-turn 'a mistake'