View source for National Hurricane Center

{{Short description|United States government agency}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = National Hurricane Center
| picture = National Hurricane Center.jpg
| picture_width = 250
| picture_caption = Front view of the National Hurricane Center headquarters
| formed = {{start date and age|1965}}
| preceding1 = 
| jurisdiction = [[Federal government of the United States|United States government]]
| headquarters = [[University Park, Florida|University Park]], [[Miami-Dade County, Florida]], United States
| coordinates = {{coord|25|45|16|N|80|23|01|W|region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}
| region_code = 
| employees = 
| budget = 
| parent_agency = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]
| chief1_name = Mike Brennan
| chief1_position = Director
| website = {{URL|http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/|}}
}}

The '''National Hurricane Center''' ('''NHC''') is the division of the United States' [[NOAA]]/[[National Weather Service]] responsible for tracking and predicting tropical weather systems between the [[IERS Reference Meridian|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]]. The agency, which is co-located with the [[National Weather Service Miami, Florida|Miami branch of the National Weather Service]], is situated on the campus of [[Florida International University]] in [[University Park, Florida|University Park]], [[Miami|Miami, Florida]].<ref>"[http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutvisitor.shtml#loc NHC Visitor Information]. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016162023/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutvisitor.shtml#loc |date=October 16, 2020 }}." National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on July 10, 2015. "The National Hurricane Center is co-located with the Miami National Weather Service Forecast Office on the main campus of Florida International University at 11691 S.W. 17th Street, Miami, Florida. This location is about 12 miles west of downtown Miami and 8 miles southwest of Miami International Airport."</ref><ref>"[http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st12_fl/place/p1273287_university_park/DC10BLK_P1273287_001.pdf 2010 CENSUS – CENSUS BLOCK MAP: University Park CDP, FL]". ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150710180032/http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st12_fl/place/p1273287_university_park/DC10BLK_P1273287_001.pdf Archive]). [[U.S. Census Bureau]]. Retrieved on July 10, 2015.</ref>

The NHC's Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch (TAFB) routinely issues marine forecasts, in the form of graphics and high seas forecasts year round, with the [[Ocean Prediction Center]] having backup responsibility for this unit. The Technology and Science Branch (TSB) provides technical support for the center, which includes new infusions of technology from abroad. The Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination, All Hurricanes (CARCAH) unit tasks planes, for research and operational purposes, to tropical cyclones during the [[Atlantic hurricane season]] and significant weather events, including snow storms, during winter and spring. Research to improve operational forecasts is done through the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project (HFIP) and Joint Hurricane Test Bed (JHT) initiatives.

During the Atlantic and northeast Pacific hurricane seasons, the Hurricane Specialist Unit (HSU) issues routine tropical weather outlooks for the northeast Pacific and northern Atlantic oceans. When [[tropical storm]] or hurricane conditions are expected within 48 hours, the center issues watches and warnings via the news media and [[NOAA Weather Radio|National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio]].

Although the NHC is an agency of the United States, the [[World Meteorological Organization]] has designated it as the [[Regional Specialized Meteorological Center]] for the North Atlantic and eastern Pacific, making it the clearinghouse for tropical cyclone forecasts and observations occurring in these areas. If the NHC loses power or becomes incapacitated, the [[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]] backs tropical cyclone advisories and tropical weather outlooks for the northeast Pacific Ocean while the [[Weather Prediction Center]] backs up tropical cyclone advisories and tropical weather outlooks for the North Atlantic Ocean.

==History==
===Early history===
[[File:Miamihwo1958.png|thumb|right|upright=1.2|Location of Miami Hurricane Warning Office, depicted by the arrow, 1958–1964]]
{{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 Vines|Benito Viñes]]. After his death, hurricane warning services were assumed by the [[Signal Corps (United States Army)|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.<ref name=Simpson>{{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}}</ref><ref name="wb59">{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In 1950, the Miami Hurricane Warning Office began to prepare the annual hurricane season summary articles.<ref>{{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=July 12, 2025 |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}}</ref> In the [[1953 Atlantic hurricane season|1953 Atlantic season]], the United States Weather Bureau began naming storms which reach tropical storm intensity with human names.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

[[File:National Hurricane Center (Old Building) 1964.png|thumb|left|Building which housed NHC from 1964 to 1978 at the University of Miami (Ungar Building)]]
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]].<ref name=HRDhistory>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>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.</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="verify">{{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}}</ref> The Miami HWO moved to the campus of the [[University of Miami]] in 1964,<ref name="stormfury">{{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}}</ref> and was referred to as the NHC in 1965.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The Miami HWO tropical cyclone reports were done regularly and took on their modern format in 1964.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===As the National Hurricane Center===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="float: right; margin:0 1em 0.5em 1em;"
|+ National Hurricane Center directors
|-
!scope="col"| Director
!scope="col"| Tenure
!scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
|scope="row| Gordan Dunn
|align="right"| {{ntsh|1965}} 1965–1967
|<ref name="Sheets">{{cite journal |journal=Weather and Forecasting |title=The National Hurricane Center – Past, Present, and Future |author=Robert C. Sheets |date=June 1990 |volume=5 |page=196 |issue=2 |doi=10.1175/1520-0434(1990)005<0185:tnhcpa>2.0.co;2 |bibcode=1990WtFor...5..185S |doi-access=free}}</ref>
|-
| [[Bob Simpson (meteorologist)|Robert Simpson]]
|align="right"| {{ntsh|1968}} 1968–1973
|<ref>{{cite journal |author=Robert Simpson |title=The Disaster Potential Scale |journal=Weatherwise |year=1963 |volume=27 |pages=169–180}}</ref>
|-
| [[Neil Frank]]
|align="right"| {{ntsh|1973}} 1973–1987
| <ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19870221&id=pz5WAAAAIBAJ&pg=5675,1453511 |newspaper=Gainesville Sun |page=11A |title=Neil Frank Takes Post in Houston |agency=Associated Press |date=1987-02-21 |access-date=2012-09-09 |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220023937/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19870221&id=pz5WAAAAIBAJ&pg=5675%2C1453511 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Bob Sheets]]
|align="right"| {{ntsh|1988}} 1988–1995
| <ref name="Sheets"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/052202/sto_9469206.shtml |date=2002-05-22 |access-date=2012-09-09 |title=Storms expert exhorts hurricane preparation |author=Jessie-Lynne Kerr |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union}}</ref>
|-
| Bob Burpee
|align="right"| {{ntsh|1995}} 1995–1997
| <ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19970830&id=1D0eAAAAIBAJ&pg=3549,4934323 |title=Hurricane Center Boss Steps Down From Job |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |agency=Associated Press |page=5B |date=1997-08-30 |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216150026/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19970830&id=1D0eAAAAIBAJ&pg=3549%2C4934323 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Jerry Jarrell
|align="right"| {{ntsh|1998}} 1998–2000
| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://uncw.edu/articles/2000/02/jerry-jarrell-to-deliver-keynote-address-at-uncw-hurricane-preparedness-conference |title=Jerry Jarrell to Deliver Keynote Address at UNCW Hurricane Preparedness Conference |date=2000-02-16 |access-date=2012-09-09 |author=University of North Carolina-Wilmington |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215060942/http://www.uncw.edu/articles/2000/02/jerry-jarrell-to-deliver-keynote-address-at-uncw-hurricane-preparedness-conference |archive-date=2012-12-15 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[Max Mayfield]]
|align="right"| {{ntsh|2000}} 2000–2007
| <ref name=max>{{cite web |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-01-14/news/sfl-hurricane-center-hunts-for-new-director-20120114_1_hurricane-center-director-jerry-jarrell-max-mayfield |title=National Hurricane Center hunting for a new director |author=Ken Kaye |date=2012-01-12 |access-date=2012-09-09 |archive-date=February 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219171836/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-01-14/news/sfl-hurricane-center-hunts-for-new-director-20120114_1_hurricane-center-director-jerry-jarrell-max-mayfield |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[Bill Proenza]]
|align="right"| {{ntsh|2007}} 2007
| <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2752.htm |title=Commerce Secretary and NOAA Administrator announce new National Hurricane Center Director Bill Proenza to Succeed Max Mayfield. |date=6 December 2006 |access-date=2006-12-06 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |archive-date=December 9, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209085511/http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2752.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Edward Rappaport]]{{refn|group=Note|name="Rappaport"|Rappaport served as acting director following the retirements of Proenza and Knabb until a new director was appointed.}}
|align="right"| {{ntsh|2007}} 2007–2008
| <ref name=max/>
|-
| [[Bill Read]]
|align="right"| {{ntsh|2008}} 2008–2012
| <ref name=max/>
|- 
| [[Rick Knabb]]
|align="right"| {{ntsh|2012}} 2012–2017
| <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.weather.com/news/knabb-becomes-hurricane-dir-20120518 |title=Weather Channel Expert to Lead National Hurricane Center. |date=18 May 2012 |access-date=2012-05-18 |publisher=The Weather Channel |archive-date=May 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519030144/http://www.weather.com/news/knabb-becomes-hurricane-dir-20120518 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="KnabbRetire">{{cite news |author=Linda Robertson |newspaper=Miami Herald |date=March 21, 2017 |access-date=May 7, 2017 |title=Hurricane center's director leaving after five seasons of storm predictions |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article139862458.html |archive-date=May 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516145040/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article139862458.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Edward Rappaport]]{{refn|group=Note|name="Rappaport"}}
|align="right"| {{ntsh|2017}} 2017–2018
| <ref name="KnabbRetire"/>
|-
| [[Ken Graham|Kenneth Graham]]
|align="right"| {{ntsh|2018}} 2018–2022
| <ref name="Graham">{{cite news |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article206389439.html |title=National Hurricane Center gets new chief just in time for upcoming season |date=March 22, 2018 |author=Jenny Staletovich |newspaper=Miami Herald |access-date=March 29, 2018 |archive-date=March 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329121111/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article206389439.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Jamie Rhome{{refn|group=Note|name="Rhome"|Rhome served as acting director following the promotion of Kenneth Graham to the position of director of the National Weather Service.}}
|align="right"| {{ntsh|2022}} 2022–2023
|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Buchanan |first1=Susan |title=Kenneth Graham selected as next director of NOAA's National Weather Service |url=https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/kenneth-graham-selected-as-next-director-of-noaas-national-weather-service |publisher=NOAA |access-date=7 June 2022 |date=7 June 2022 |archive-date=June 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607214602/https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/kenneth-graham-selected-as-next-director-of-noaas-national-weather-service |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Mike Brennan
|align="right|{{ntsh|2023}} 2023–present
|<ref>{{cite press release |title=Mike Brennan selected as director of NOAA's National Hurricane Center |website=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=April 10, 2023 |url=https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/mike-brennan-selected-as-director-of-noaa-national-hurricane-center |access-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410143857/https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/mike-brennan-selected-as-director-of-noaa-national-hurricane-center |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}
Beginning in 1973, the National Meteorological Center duties (renamed the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center; renamed for a second time in 2013)<ref name="HPChistory">{{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}}</ref> gained advisory responsibility for tracking and publicizing inland tropical depressions. The [[World Meteorological Organization]] assumed control of the Atlantic hurricane naming list in 1977.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Male names were added into the hurricane list beginning in the [[1979 Atlantic hurricane season|1979 season]].<ref>{{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&nbsp;– 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}}</ref> The hurricane warning offices remained active past 1983.<ref name=WJ>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> By 1988, the NHC gained responsibility for eastern Pacific tropical cyclones as the former [[Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center]] in San Francisco was decommissioned.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="tcr">{{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}}</ref> The radar was replaced with a WSR-88D [[NEXRAD]] system in April 1993 installed near [[Zoo Miami|Metro Zoo]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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&nbsp;mph (210&nbsp;km/h) winds.<ref name="NHC bunker">[[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</ref> Its name was changed to the Tropical Prediction Center in 1995.<ref name=TPC>{{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}}</ref> After the name change to TPC, the hurricane specialists were grouped as a separate NHC unit under the Tropical Prediction Center,<ref name=TPC/> separating themselves from the Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch. On October 1, 2010, the Tropical Prediction Center was renamed the NHC,<ref name=nhc.noaa>{{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}}</ref> and the group formerly known as the NHC became known as the Hurricane Specialist Unit (HSU).<ref name=Staff>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name=advance>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Organization==
For the [[fiscal year]] of 2008, the budget for the NHC was $6.8&nbsp;million.<ref name=advance/> The NHC staff has 66 members including 12 managers.<ref name=Staff/> The NHC is one of nine national centers which compose the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP).<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Hurricane Specialist Unit===
[[File:National Hurricane Center HSU desk.jpg|thumb|right|The HSU operations area comprises four desks ''(pictured)'' from which the tropics are monitored]]
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The specialists coordinate with officials in each country likely to be affected. They forecast and recommend watches and warnings.<ref name=about/>

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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Backup responsibility for their northeast Pacific area resides at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC),<ref>{{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}}</ref> and vice versa if CPHC were to have communication issues.<ref>{{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}}</ref> North Atlantic responsibilities are backed up by the Weather Prediction Center (WPC).<ref name=advance/> 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.<ref>[[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.</ref> Outside of the hurricane season, the specialists concentrate on public education efforts.<ref>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.</ref>

On April&nbsp;30, 2020, senior hurricane specialist [[Lixion Avila]] retired after working at the NHC since 1987.<ref>{{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}}</ref> On January&nbsp;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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none; font-size:90%"
|-<sup>†</sup>
| colspan="9" style="text-align:center; width:700px; font-size:120%; color:black; background:#34AAE0;" | '''Hurricane Specialist Unit'''
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Daniel Brown
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Jack Beven, Ph.D.
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Richard Pasch, Ph.D.
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Robbie Berg
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| John Cangialosi
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| ''Vacant''
|-
|[[File:Daniel Brown (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Jack Beven (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Richard Pasch (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Robbie Berg (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:John Cangialosi (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Temporary cyclone north.svg|center|120x120px]]
|-
|Branch Chief
|Senior Hurricane Specialist
|Senior Hurricane Specialist
|Senior Hurricane Specialist
|Senior Hurricane Specialist
|Warning Coordination Meteorologist
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Eric Blake
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Lisa Bucci, Ph.D.
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Larry Kelly
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Dave Roberts
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Philippe Papin, Ph.D.
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Brad Reinhart

|-
|[[File:Eric Blake (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Temporary cyclone north.svg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Temporary cyclone north.svg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Temporary cyclone north.svg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Philippe Papin (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Brad Reinhart (meteorologist).jpg|center|120x120px]]
|-
|Senior Hurricane Specialist
|Hurricane Specialist
|Hurricane Specialist
|U.S. Navy Hurricane Specialist
|Hurricane Specialist
|Hurricane Specialist
|-
|}

===Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch===
[[File:NHC TAFB New.png|center|thumb|A panoramic view of TAFB's operations at the NHC in 2018|600px]]
{{clear}}
[[File:NWSmarinezones.gif|thumb|The National Weather Service areas of [[marine weather forecasting]] responsibility]]
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The TAFB is responsible for [[high seas]] analyses and forecasts for tropical portions of the Atlantic and Pacific between the [[IERS Reference Meridian|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 [[Dvorak technique|intensity]] estimates, [[NEXRAD|WSR-88D radar]] fixes for tropical cyclones, tropical cyclone forecast support, media support, and general operational support.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The Ocean Prediction Center backs up TAFB in the event of a communications outage, and vice versa.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none; font-size:90%"
|-<sup>†</sup>
| colspan="8" style="text-align:center; width:700px; font-size:120%; color:black; background:#34AAE0;" | '''Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch'''
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Christopher Landsea, Ph.D.
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Eric Christenen
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Andrew Levine
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Jeffrey Lewitsky
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Scott Stripling
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Stephen Konarik
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|
|-
|
|[[File:Christopher Landsea (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Eric Christenen (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Temporary cyclone north.svg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Jeffery Lewitsky (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Scott Stripling.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Stephen Konarik.jpg|center|130x130px]]
|
|-
|
|Branch Chief
|Lead Forecaster
|Lead Forecaster
|Lead Forecaster
|Lead Forecaster
|Lead Forecaster
|
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Jorge Aguirre-Echevarria
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Amanda Reinhart
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Vacant
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Gladys Rubio
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Nelsie Ramos, Ph.D.
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Evelyn Rivera-Acevedo
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|
|-
|
|[[File:Jorge Aguirre-Echevarria.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Amanda Reinhart.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Temporary cyclone north.svg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Gladys Rubio (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Nelsie Ramos (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Evelyn Rivera-Acevedo.jpg|center|136x136px]]
|
|-
|
|Forecaster
|Forecaster
|Forecaster
|Forecaster
|Forecaster
|Forecaster
|
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|Mike Tichacek
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|Sandy Delgado
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Patrick Chan
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Cassandra Mora
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Andrew Hagen
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"| Heather Nepaul, Ph.D.
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|Dylan Flynn
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|Aidan Mahoney
|-
|[[File:Temporary cyclone north.svg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Sandy Delgado.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Patrick Chan.jpg|center|119x119px]]
|[[File:Cassandra Mora.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Andrew Hagen (meteorologist).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Heather Nepaul.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Dylan Flynn.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Mahoney NHC.jpg|center|120x120px|Aidan Mahoney NHC]]
|-
|Surface Analyst Forecaster
|Surface Analyst Forecaster
|Surface Analyst Forecaster
|Surface Analyst Forecaster
|Surface Analyst Forecaster
|Surface Analyst Forecaster
|Surface Analyst Forecaster
|Pathways Intern
|-
|}

===Technology and Science Branch===
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 System|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|Storm Surge]] Unit, which develops and maintains software to forecast the storm surge of tropical cyclones, is part of this branch.<ref name=about>{{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}}</ref> The Techniques Development and Applications Unit (TDAU) is part of TSB.<ref name=abouttsb>{{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}}</ref>

===CARCAH===
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,<ref name=about/> and at times when there is significant uncertainty within/between [[numerical weather prediction]] output.<ref name="nhopappf">[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.</ref>

===HLT===
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).<ref name=about/> During significant landfalling hurricanes, the [[president of the United States]] as well as affected city [[Mayoralty in the United States|mayor]]s and state [[Governor (United States)|governor]]s join the daily briefing call, which occurs at noon [[Eastern Daylight Time]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Research==
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The reports were formally known as Preliminary Reports up until 1999.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--staff byline--> |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}}</ref>

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&nbsp;million, the JHT has funded 62&nbsp;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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program's (HFIP) five-year goal is to lead to a 20&nbsp;percent improvement within the [[numerical weather prediction]] models provided by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction to NHC by 2015 and a 50&nbsp;percent improvement within [[tropical cyclone track forecasting]] and intensity guidance by 2020.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==See also==
{{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]]
* [[RSMC La Réunion|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]]
* [[Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency#Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre|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]}})

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{Wikisource-inline|Portal:National Hurricane Center|National Hurricane Center}}
* {{Official website|https://www.nhc.noaa.gov}}

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