National Hurricane Center#Research

File:Miamihwo1958.png

{{See also|History of Atlantic hurricane warnings|Tropical cyclone naming}}

The first hurricane warning service was set up in the 1870s from Cuba with the work of Father Benito Viñes. After his death, hurricane warning services were assumed by the United States Signal Corps and United States Weather Bureau over the next decade, first based in Jamaica in 1898 and Cuba in 1899 before shifting to Washington, D.C., in 1902.{{cite journal |journal=Weather and Forecasting |pages=617–620 |title=Stepping Stones in the Evolution of a National Hurricane Policy |author=R. H. Simpson |volume=13 |date=September 1998 |doi=10.1175/1520-0434(1998)013<0617:SSITEO>2.0.CO;2 |issue=3 |bibcode=1998WtFor..13..617S |doi-access=free}}{{cite journal |url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/wb_topicsandpersonnel/1959.pdf |title=WB Hurricane Forecasting Service |author=Staff |date=June 1959 |pages=102–104 |publisher=United States Weather Bureau |journal=Weather Bureau Topics |access-date=2012-04-22 |archive-date=October 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020032556/http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/wb_topicsandpersonnel/1959.pdf |url-status=live}}

The central office in Washington, which evolved into the National Meteorological Center and Weather Prediction Center (formerly known as the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center), assumed hurricane warning/advisory responsibility at that time. This responsibility passed to regional hurricane offices in 1935, and the concept of the Atlantic hurricane season was established to keep a vigilant lookout for tropical cyclones during certain times of the year. Hurricane advisories issued every six hours by the regional hurricane offices began at this time.{{cite journal |url=https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.90.2334.266.a |journal=Science |date=1939-09-22 |access-date=2012-04-19 |title=Hurricane Warnings of the U. S. Weather Bureau |page=266 |doi=10.1126/science.90.2334.266-a |author=Staff |volume=90 |issue=2334 |archive-date=September 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916152417/https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.90.2334.266.a |url-status=live|url-access=subscription }}

The Jacksonville hurricane warning office moved to Miami, Florida, in 1943. Tropical cyclone naming began for Atlantic tropical cyclones using the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet by 1947.{{cite book |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/lch/tropical/lahurricanehistory.pdf |page=36 |title=Louisiana Hurricane History |author=David M. Roth |publisher=National Weather Service Southern Region Headquarters |date=2010-01-13 |access-date=2011-01-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101121418/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/lch/tropical/lahurricanehistory.pdf |archive-date=2011-11-01}} In 1950, the Miami Hurricane Warning Office began to prepare the annual hurricane season summary articles.{{cite journal |url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1950.pdf |page=8 |title=Hurricanes of the 1950 Season |author=Grady Norton |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=January 1951 |access-date=2012-04-23 |volume=79 |issue=1 |bibcode=1951MWRv...79....8N |doi=10.1175/1520-0493-79.1.8 |doi-broken-date=November 1, 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126075931/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1950.pdf |archive-date=2013-11-26}} In the 1953 Atlantic season, the United States Weather Bureau began naming storms which reach tropical storm intensity with human names.{{cite web |url=http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2008/summ0707.htm |title=Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary July 2007 |author=Gary Padgett |year=1999 |publisher=Australian Severe Weather |access-date=2010-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606013629/http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2008/summ0707.htm |archive-date=2011-06-06 |url-status=dead}}

File:National Hurricane Center (Old Building) 1964.png

The National Hurricane Research Project, begun in the 1950s, used aircraft to study tropical cyclones and carry out experiments on mature hurricanes through its Project Stormfury.{{cite web |url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hrd_sub/beginning.html |author=Hurricane Research Division |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title=Hurricane Research Division History |year=2004 |access-date=2012-04-19 |author-link=Hurricane Research Division |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512022435/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hrd_sub/beginning.html |url-status=live}} On July 1, 1956, a National Hurricane Information Center was established in Miami, Florida, which became a warehouse for all hurricane-related information from one United States Weather Bureau office.Staff (December 1956). [http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/wb_topicsandpersonnel/1956.pdf Hurricane Warning Service Activities]. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020041500/http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/wb_topicsandpersonnel/1956.pdf |date=October 20, 2011 }}. Weather Bureau Topics. Retrieved on 2012-04-21. The Miami Hurricane Warning Office (HWO) moved from Lindsey Hopkins Hotel to the Aviation Building {{convert|4|mi|km}} to the northwest on July 1, 1958.{{cite journal |journal=Weather Bureau Topics |title=Miami Hurricane Warning Center Moved |url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/wb_topicsandpersonnel/1958.pdf |page=144 |author=Staff |publisher=United States Weather Bureau |date=August 1958 |access-date=2012-04-21 |archive-date=March 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303193131/https://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/wb_topicsandpersonnel/1958.pdf |url-status=dead}} Forecasts within the hurricane advisories were issued one day into the future in 1954 before being extended to two days into the future in 1961, three days into the future in 1964, and five days into the future in 2001.{{cite web |author=James Franklin |title=National Hurricane Center Forecast Verification |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/verification/verify2.shtml |date=2012-03-01 |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=2012-04-19 |page=2 |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510225249/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/verification/verify2.shtml |url-status=live}} The Miami HWO moved to the campus of the University of Miami in 1964,{{cite web |url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hrd_sub/stormfury_era.html |author=Hurricane Research Division |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title=The STORMFURY Era |year=2004 |access-date=2012-04-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511170002/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hrd_sub/stormfury_era.html |archive-date=2012-05-11 |author-link=Hurricane Research Division}} and was referred to as the NHC in 1965.{{cite journal |journal=Weather Bureau Topics |url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/wb_topicsandpersonnel/1965.pdf |pages=14–15 |date=January–February 1965 |title=Miami Center Opens |author=Staff |access-date=2012-04-23 |archive-date=October 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020045736/http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/wb_topicsandpersonnel/1965.pdf |url-status=live}} The Miami HWO tropical cyclone reports were done regularly and took on their modern format in 1964.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/ |title=Storm Wallet Archive |author=National Hurricane Center |date=2002-12-17 |access-date=2012-04-23 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |archive-date=June 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621052036/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/ |url-status=live}}

Beginning in 1973, the National Meteorological Center duties (renamed the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center; renamed for a second time in 2013){{cite web |title=A Brief History of the Weather Prediction Center International Desks |url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/international/intlhist.shtml |work=Weather Prediction Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=November 17, 2013 |archive-date=January 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107053412/http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/international/intlhist.shtml |url-status=live}} gained advisory responsibility for tracking and publicizing inland tropical depressions. The World Meteorological Organization assumed control of the Atlantic hurricane naming list in 1977.{{cite web |url=http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2008/summ0710a.htm |title=Monthly Tropical Cyclone Summary: October 2007 First Installment |author=Gary Padgett |year=2008 |access-date=2012-04-23 |publisher=Australian Severe Weather |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928193333/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2008/summ0710a.htm |url-status=live}} In 1978, the NHC's offices moved off the campus of the University of Miami across U.S. Highway 1 to the IRE Financial Building.{{cite web |url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hrd_sub/orionp3s.html |author=Hurricane Research Division |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title=The Orion P3s |year=2004 |access-date=2012-04-19 |author-link=Hurricane Research Division |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512032034/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hrd_sub/orionp3s.html |url-status=live}} Male names were added into the hurricane list beginning in the 1979 season.{{cite book |author1=Colin J. McAdie |author2=Christopher W. Landsea |author3=Charles J. Neumann |author4=Joan E. David |author5=Eric S. Blake |author6=Gregory R. Hammer |title=Tropical Cyclones of the North Atlantic Ocean, 1851 – 2006 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=2009-08-20 |edition=Sixth |page=18 |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TC_Book_Atl_1851-2006_lowres.pdf |access-date=2010-07-07 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184616/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TC_Book_Atl_1851-2006_lowres.pdf |url-status=live}} The hurricane warning offices remained active past 1983.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rlwuk6W-Uz4C&q=new+orleans+hurricane+warning+center+history&pg=PA18 |title=Weather For the Mariner |pages=18–19 |author=William J. Kotsch |year=1983 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=9780870217562 |access-date=2012-04-29 |archive-date=September 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916152456/https://books.google.com/books?id=rlwuk6W-Uz4C&q=new+orleans+hurricane+warning+center+history&pg=PA18 |url-status=live}}

In 1984, the NHC was separated from the Miami Weather Service Forecast Office, which meant the meteorologist in charge at Miami was no longer in a supervisory position over the hurricane center director.{{cite web |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/?n=floridahistorypage#National_Weather_Service |author=Rusty Pfost |title=History of National Weather Service Forecast Office Miami, Florida |date=2010-05-30 |access-date=2012-04-23 |publisher=National Weather Service Southern Region |archive-date=May 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530063524/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/?n=floridahistorypage#National_Weather_Service |url-status=live}} By 1988, the NHC gained responsibility for eastern Pacific tropical cyclones as the former Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center in San Francisco was decommissioned.{{cite journal |title=Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones of 1988 |author1=Harold P. Gerrish |author2=Max Mayfield |name-list-style=amp |date=October 1989 |page=2266 |journal=Monthly Weather Review |volume=117 |issue=10 |bibcode=1989MWRv..117.2266G |doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1989)117<2266:ENPTCO>2.0.CO;2 |doi-access=free}} In 1992, Hurricane Andrew blew the WSR-57 weather radar and the anemometer off the roof of NHC's/the Miami State Weather Forecast offices.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1992andrew.html |title=Hurricane Andrew Preliminary Report |access-date=2011-04-06 |author=Edward Rappaport |publisher=National Hurricane Center |date=1993-12-10 |archive-date=September 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916171958/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1992andrew.html |url-status=live}} The radar was replaced with a WSR-88D NEXRAD system in April 1993 installed near Metro Zoo,{{cite web |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/?n=floridahistorypage#Hurricane_Andrew |title=History of National Weather Service Forecast Office Miami, Florida |author=Rusty Pfost |date=2010-05-30 |access-date=2012-05-03 |publisher=National Weather Service Southern Region Headquarters |archive-date=May 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530063524/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/?n=floridahistorypage#Hurricane_Andrew |url-status=live}} near where Hurricane Andrew made landfall.

In 1995, the NHC moved into a new hurricane-resistant facility on the campus of Florida International University, capable of withstanding 130 mph (210 km/h) winds.American Meteorological Society (November 2002). [http://www.ametsoc.org/amschaps/nov02news.html Chapter News November 2002]. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503234140/http://www.ametsoc.org/amschaps/nov02news.html |date=2008-05-03}}. American Meteorological Society. Retrieved on 2012-04-23 Its name was changed to the Tropical Prediction Center in 1995.{{cite journal |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/00mcadie-lawrence.pdf |title=Improvements in Tropical Cyclone Track Forecasting in the Atlantic Basin, 1970–98 |author1=Colin J. McAdie |author2=Miles B. Lawrence |name-list-style=amp |page=989 |journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society |date=May 2000 |volume=81 |issue=5 |bibcode=2000BAMS...81..989M |doi=10.1175/1520-0477(2000)081<0989:IITCTF>2.3.CO;2 |access-date=April 20, 2012 |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730105728/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/00mcadie-lawrence.pdf |url-status=live}} After the name change to TPC, the hurricane specialists were grouped as a separate NHC unit under the Tropical Prediction Center, separating themselves from the Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch. On October 1, 2010, the Tropical Prediction Center was renamed the NHC,{{cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pns7_2010.shtml |author=John Kuhn |title=Service Change Notice 10–41 |publisher=National Weather Service Headquarters |date=2010-10-01 |access-date=2012-04-23 |archive-date=October 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002093328/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pns7_2010.shtml |url-status=live}} and the group formerly known as the NHC became known as the Hurricane Specialist Unit (HSU).{{cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutstaff.shtml |title=National Hurricane Center Staff |access-date=2012-06-13 |date=2012-06-05 |author=National Hurricane Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |archive-date=June 15, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615005733/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutstaff.shtml |url-status=live}}

Tropical cyclone forecasting uses statistical methods based on tropical cyclone climatology, as well as methods of numerical weather prediction where computers use mathematical equations of motion to determine their movement.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/verification/verify6.shtml |publisher=National Hurricane Center |date=2010-04-20 |access-date=2011-01-02 |author=James Franklin |title=National Hurricane Center Forecast Verification |author-link=James Franklin (meteorologist) |page=6 |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510225232/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/verification/verify6.shtml |url-status=live}}{{cite journal |author1=Edward N. Rappaport |author2=James L. Franklin |author3=Lixion A. Avila |author4=Stephen R. Baig |author5=John L. Beven II |author6=Eric S. Blake |author7=Christopher A. Burr |author8=Jiann-Gwo Jiing |author9=Christopher A. Juckins |author10=Richard D. Knabb |author11=Christopher W. Landsea |author12=Michelle Mainelli |author13=Max Mayfield |author14=Colin J. McAdie |author15=Richard J. Pasch |author16=Christopher Sisko |author17=Stacy R. Steward |author18=Ahsha N. Tribble |author-link18=Ahsha N. Tribble |title=Advances and Challenges at the National Hurricane Center |journal=Weather and Forecasting |date=April 2009 |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=395–419 |doi=10.1175/2008WAF2222128.1 |bibcode=2009WtFor..24..395R |citeseerx=10.1.1.207.4667 |s2cid=14845745}} The World Meteorological Organization continues to create and maintain the annual hurricane naming lists. Naming lists use a six-year rotation, with the deadliest or most infamous storm names retired from the rotation.{{cite web |author=National Hurricane Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=2012-04-16 |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml |title=Tropical Cyclone Names |access-date=2012-11-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209021153/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml |archive-date=2006-02-09}}

For the fiscal year of 2008, the budget for the NHC was $6.8 million. The NHC staff has 66 members including 12 managers. The NHC is one of nine national centers which compose the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP).{{cite web |url=http://www.ncep.noaa.gov/ |title=National Centers for Environmental Prediction main webpage |author=National Centers for Environmental Prediction |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=2012-08-28 |access-date=2012-10-08 |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007135223/http://www.ncep.noaa.gov/ |url-status=live}}

File:National Hurricane Center HSU desk.jpg

Known as the NHC from 1995 through 2010, the hurricane specialists within the Hurricane Specialist Unit (HSU) are the chief meteorologists that predict the actions of tropical storms. The specialists work rotating eight-hour shifts from May through November, monitoring weather patterns in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific oceans. Whenever a tropical or subtropical cyclone forms, they issue advisories every six hours until the storm is over. Public advisories are issued more often when the storm expected to be of tropical storm or hurricane intensity threatens land.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnhcprod.shtml |title=NHC Text Product Descriptions |author=National Hurricane Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=2011-09-27 |access-date=2011-11-23 |archive-date=June 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623205925/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnhcprod.shtml |url-status=live}} The specialists coordinate with officials in each country likely to be affected. They forecast and recommend watches and warnings.

During the hurricane season, the HSU routinely issues their Tropical Weather Outlook product, which identifies areas of concern within the tropics which could develop into tropical cyclones. If systems occur outside the defined hurricane season, the HSU issues special Tropical Weather Outlooks.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo_atl.shtml |author=National Hurricane Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |year=2011 |access-date=2011-07-09 |title=Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook |archive-date=June 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623203417/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo_atl.shtml |url-status=live}} Backup responsibility for their northeast Pacific area resides at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC),{{cite web |url=http://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/sites/seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/files/csp/coastal_inundation_workshop/coastal-inund-workshop-summary-8-1-2-11.pdf |date=2011-08-01 |access-date=2012-09-26 |title=CSP Pacific Island Operational Coastal Inundation Modeling Guidance Workshop Workshop Summary and Action Items |author=University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa |publisher=University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024100337/http://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/sites/seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/files/csp/coastal_inundation_workshop/coastal-inund-workshop-summary-8-1-2-11.pdf |archive-date=2011-10-24}} and vice versa if CPHC were to have communication issues.{{cite web |url=http://www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/010/archive/pd01006002a.pdf |page=4 |title=National Weather Service Instruction 10-602 June 7, 2002 Operations and Services Tropical Cyclone Weather Services Program, NWSPD 10-6 Coordination, Backup, and Emergency Operations |date=2002-06-07 |access-date=2012-09-26 |author=Scott Kiser |publisher=National Weather Service Headquarters |archive-date=September 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916152415/https://www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/010/archive/pd01006002a.pdf |url-status=live}} North Atlantic responsibilities are backed up by the Weather Prediction Center (WPC). Routine coordination occurs at 1700 UTC each day between the Weather Prediction Center and National Hurricane Center to identify systems for the pressure maps three to seven days into the future within the tropics, and points for existing tropical cyclones six to seven days into the future.United States Department of Commerce (2006). [http://www.weather.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/Katrina.pdf Service Assessment: Hurricane Katrina, August 23–31, 2005]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060723034359/http://www.weather.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/Katrina.pdf |date=2006-07-23}} Retrieved on 2008-09-03. Outside of the hurricane season, the specialists concentrate on public education efforts.Tropical Prediction Center (2007-07-03). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070703051443/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnhc.shtml The National Hurricane Center: Max Mayfield, Director Ed Rappaport, Deputy Director]. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved on 2012-04-23.

On April 30, 2020, senior hurricane specialist Lixion Avila retired after working at the NHC since 1987.{{cite web |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=April 30, 2020 |access-date=April 30, 2020 |title=Dr. Lixion Avila |url=https://www.weather.gov/careers/meteorology-avila-lixion |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804073820/https://www.weather.gov/careers/meteorology-avila-lixion |url-status=live}} On January 3, 2022, it was announced that senior hurricane specialist Stacy Stewart, who also served in the U.S. Navy reserves, retired after working at the NHC since 1999. He retired due to surgeries and post-surgical effects after being injured in Iraq.{{cite web |publisher=National Hurricane Center |date=January 3, 2022 |access-date=January 3, 2022 |title=Stacy R. Stewart retires from federal service |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/stewart_retirement_010122.pdf |archive-date=January 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103180448/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/stewart_retirement_010122.pdf |url-status=live}}

File:NHC TAFB New.png

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The Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch (TAFB, formerly the Tropical Satellite Analysis and Forecast unit and the Tropical Analysis Center) is a part of the National Hurricane Center and was created in 1967.{{cite journal |url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/journals/essa_world/QC851U461967jul.pdf |page=15 |title=Tropical Analysis Center |author=Staff |journal=ESSA World |publisher=Environmental Science Services Administration |date=July 1967 |access-date=April 21, 2012 |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610231023/http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/journals/essa_world/QC851U461967jul.pdf |url-status=live}} The TAFB is responsible for high seas analyses and forecasts for tropical portions of the Atlantic and Pacific between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th parallel north in the northeast Pacific Ocean and the 31st parallel north in the northern Atlantic Ocean.{{cite web |url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/html/sfc2.shtml |title=North American Surface Analysis |publisher=National Center for Environmental Prediction |date=2011-10-12 |access-date=2012-09-09 |archive-date=April 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410000330/http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/html/sfc2.shtml |url-status=live}} Unlike the Hurricane Specialist Unit (HSU), TAFB is staffed full-time around the year. Other responsibilities of the TAFB include satellite-derived tropical cyclone position and intensity estimates, WSR-88D radar fixes for tropical cyclones, tropical cyclone forecast support, media support, and general operational support.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/abouttafb.shtml |title=Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch |access-date=August 23, 2007 |archive-date=August 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820175335/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/abouttafb.shtml |url-status=live}} The Ocean Prediction Center backs up TAFB in the event of a communications outage, and vice versa.{{cite web |url=http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/abtopc.shtml |title=Vision and Mission Statement |author=Ocean Prediction Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=2012-09-26 |date=2011-08-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924075914/http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/abtopc.shtml |archive-date=2012-09-24 |author-link=Ocean Prediction Center}}

The Technology & Science Branch (TSB) develops and transitions new tools and techniques into operations for tropical weather prediction in conjunction with other government and academic entities. TSB created and continues development of the Automated Tropical Cyclone Forecasting (ATCF) system, used to incorporate various data and model outputs, create and update HURDAT, and to generate tropical cyclone forecasts. The TSB provides support for NHC computer and communications systems including its website. TSB maintains a number of statistical and dynamical models used in predicting both tropical cyclone behavior and associated weather conditions. The Storm Surge Unit, which develops and maintains software to forecast the storm surge of tropical cyclones, is part of this branch.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutintro.shtml |title=About the National Hurricane Center |author=National Hurricane Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=2012-04-20 |date=2011-10-06 |archive-date=May 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501103334/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutintro.shtml |url-status=live}} The Techniques Development and Applications Unit (TDAU) is part of TSB.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/abouttsb.shtml |title=Technology & Science Branch |author=National Hurricane Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=2012-04-20 |date=2012-04-03 |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510203933/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/abouttsb.shtml |url-status=live}}

The Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination, All Hurricanes (CARCAH) is a subunit of the 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Hurricane Hunters). CARCAH's mission is to provide a point-of-contact and to coordinate all tropical cyclone operational reconnaissance requirements at NHC and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center for the North Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and the North Pacific basin east of the International Date Line in accordance with the National Hurricane Operations Plan (NHOP). During the winter, CARCAH coordinates the Atlantic and Pacific winter storm requirements in support of the National Winter Storms Operations Plan (NWSOP). Missions are flown in advance of the high-impact weather events forecast to affect the U.S., such as heavy snowfall, and at times when there is significant uncertainty within/between numerical weather prediction output.[http://www.ofcm.gov/nhop/12/nhop12.htm National Hurricane Operations Plan 2012] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825070305/http://www.ofcm.gov/nhop/12/nhop12.htm |date=2012-08-25}}, Appendix F.

The Hurricane Liaison Team (HLT) supports hurricane response through information exchange between the NHC, the National Weather Service (NOAA/NWS), and the emergency management community. The HLT is composed of federal, state, and local emergency managers, as well as NWS meteorologists and hydrologists, who maintain open lines of communication about the progress and threat level of the storm with appropriate Federal, state, and local officials. The team establishes and facilitates video and/or teleconferences with the NHC, FEMA and other Federal agencies, state Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), Weather Prediction Center (WPC), Storm Prediction Center (SPC), and River Forecast Centers (RFCs). During significant landfalling hurricanes, the president of the United States as well as affected city mayors and state governors join the daily briefing call, which occurs at noon Eastern Daylight Time.{{cite web |url=http://library.stmarytx.edu/acadlib/edocs/katrinawh.pdf |title=The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned |author=George W. Bush White House Archives |publisher=National Archives and Records Administration |date=February 2006 |pages=21–32 |access-date=2012-09-26 |archive-date=October 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012102814/http://library.stmarytx.edu/acadlib/edocs/katrinawh.pdf |url-status=live}}

As part of their annual tropical cyclone activity, the agency issues a tropical cyclone report on every tropical cyclone in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Ocean basins, which are available since 1958 and 1988, respectively. The report summarizes the synoptic history, meteorological statistics, casualties and damages, and the post-analysis best track of a storm.{{cite web |author=NOAA Coastal Services Center |title=Historical Hurricane Tracks |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=2008-11-03 |url=http://maps.csc.noaa.gov/hurricanes/reports.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028192433/http://maps.csc.noaa.gov/hurricanes/reports.jsp |archive-date=2008-10-28}} The reports were formally known as Preliminary Reports up until 1999.{{cite web |author=National Hurricane Center |title=2008 Atlantic hurricane season |year=2008 |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2008-11-19 |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2008atlan.shtml |archive-date=August 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809105726/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2008atlan.shtml |url-status=live}} The agency maintains archives and climatological statistics on Atlantic and Pacific hurricane history, including annual reports on every tropical cyclone, a complete set of tropical cyclone advisories, digitized copies of related materials on older storms, season summaries published as the Monthly Weather Review, and HURDAT, which is the official tropical cyclone database.{{cite web |author= |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=2011-05-10 |title=NHC Archive of Hurricane Seasons |access-date=2011-07-03 |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.shtml |archive-date=August 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080808105841/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.shtml |url-status=dead}}

Programs are dedicated to improving the accuracy of tropical cyclone forecasts from the center. The Joint Hurricane Testbed (JHT) is a joint operation between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and United States Weather Research Program to speed up the transfer of tropical cyclone-related research into forecast operations. Since 2001, with its annual budget of between $1.0 and $1.5 million, the JHT has funded 62 initiatives, with most of them being implemented operationally. The projects have had varied success, ranging from minor to significant advances in the way the NHC operates.{{cite journal |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/rappaport-et-al-bams2012.pdf |pages=371–373 |title=The Joint Hurricane Test Bed: Its First Decade of Tropical Cyclone Research-To-Operations Activities Reviewed |last1=Rappaport |first1=Edward N. |first2=Jiann-Gwo |last2=Jiing |first3=Christopher W. |last3=Landsea |first4=Shirley T. |last4=Murillo |first5=James L. |last5=Franklin |journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society |volume=93 |issue=3 |date=March 2012 |access-date=2012-10-08 |doi=10.1175/bams-d-11-00037.1 |bibcode=2012BAMS...93..371R |citeseerx=10.1.1.308.5450 |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007004340/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/rappaport-et-al-bams2012.pdf |url-status=live}} The Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program's (HFIP) five-year goal is to lead to a 20 percent improvement within the numerical weather prediction models provided by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction to NHC by 2015 and a 50 percent improvement within tropical cyclone track forecasting and intensity guidance by 2020.{{cite web |url=http://www.hfip.org/documents/Strategic_Plan%20121310.pdf |title=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program Five-Year Strategic Plan |last1=Toepfer |first1=Frederick |first2=Robert |last2=Gall |first3=Frank |last3=Marks |first4=Edward |last4=Rappaport |date=2010-12-13 |access-date=2012-10-08 |publisher=Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program |archive-date=August 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831213949/http://www.hfip.org/documents/Strategic_Plan%20121310.pdf |url-status=live}}

{{Portal|Tropical cyclones|United States}}

• Bureau of Meteorology (Australia)
• Canadian Hurricane Centre
• Central Pacific Hurricane Center
• India Meteorological Department
• Japan Meteorological Agency
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center
• Fiji Meteorological Service
• Centre météorologique régional spécialisé cyclones de La Réunion (La Réunion) in French ({{langx|fr|[http://www.meteofrance.re/cyclone/activite-cyclonique-en-cours Météo-France: Centre météorologique régional spécialisé cyclones de La Réunion]}})
• Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited
• Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC Jakarta) (Indonesia) ({{langx|id|[http://tcwc.bmkg.go.id/siklon Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika: Pusat Peringatan Dini Siklon Tropis]}})

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