Cold packs contain ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃). When this salt dissolves in water, it decreases the temperature of the surroundings. This happens because the process is endothermic (absorbs heat from the surroundings). By convention, when a process is endothermic, the standard enthalpy carries a positive sign (ΔH° > 0).
For a hurricane to form, the sea temperature must be at least 26.7. The temperature of the water in the problem is 27.5. Another condition is that there should be little wind in the area. The problem states that there is a very light breeze. Finally, the humidity must be high. Therefore, it is expected that a hurricane will form at the given location.
