  We consider a Bose-Einstein condensate subject to a rotating harmonic
potential, in connection with recent experiments leading to the formation of
vortices. We use the classical hydrodynamic approximation to the non-linear
Schr\"odinger equation to determine almost analytically the evolution of the
condensate. We predict that this evolution can exhibit dynamical instabilities,
for the stirring procedure previously demonstrated at ENS and for a new
stirring procedure that we put forward. These instabilities take place within
the range of stirring frequency and amplitude for which vortices are produced
experimentally. They provide therefore an initiating mechanism for vortex
nucleation.

Soft Condensed Matter