Okay, please don't laugh out loud at my question.

I know when I look on a satellite image of the Atlantic and GOM, I see "flare" ups of storms. And of course, I always wonder, can this turn into a possible storm. Under what circumstances do they start investigating these flare ups?

Just like a previous poster said about the storm off of Florida in the Bahamas, I am just curious as to why that is considered a non-tropical (I think that was the term used) rather than tropical?

Anyone suggest some good books that might help explain this to me? Then, maybe I won't feel so dumb by asking questions.

Thanks.