The Hurricane Watch Net

We do not control the naming of tropical storms. Instead, a list of names has been established by an international committee of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization. For Atlantic hurricanes, there is actually one list for each of six years. In other words, one list is repeated every seventh year. The only time that there is a change is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for obvious reasons of sensitivity. If that occurs, then at an annual meeting by the committee (called primarily to discuss many other issues) the offending name is stricken from the list and another name is selected to replace it.
See here for more information:
https://public.wmo.int/en/our-mandate/focus-areas/natural-hazards-and-disaster-risk-reduction/tropical-cyclones/Naming.

I'm vacationing in the Caribbean / Bahamas / Central America / Miami or elsewhere in the tropics during hurricane season. What's my chance of getting hit by a hurricane?

The Tropical Cyclone Frequently Asked Questions (which by the way is an excellent reference and starting place for learning about tropical cyclones) has the answer to this: http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/G15.html. Additionally, the NHC climatology page could provide more insight.

I am looking for more information on storm surge. I am interested in copy of the SLOSH Display Program. How may I obtain a copy of the software?

NHC now has a dedicated section on Storm Surge. More information on SLOSH and obtaining the software can be found in the SLOSH section of those pages.

How do I understand the advisories? Where can I get definitions of the terminology used in them?

Start with these help pages:

We also offer two Glossaries and a list of commonly used acronyms and abbreviations:

What is UTC or GMT Time?

See here for more details:

UTC/GMT Time Explanation

I heard that there is a tropical cyclone somewhere in the Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of Mexico / Eastern Pacific. How can I find out if I am at risk?

First, go back to the HWN homepage (you can click on the Hurricane Watch Net logo at the top left corner of the page as a quick short cut). If there is an active storm, click on the link for that storm and you will be taken to the appropriate Atlantic or Eastern Pacific Products page. Look at the graphics for each storm that's currently active to see if it looks like it may be headed your way. Read the latest advisories for more information.

Also note that if you live in the United States and a tropical cyclone is threatening your part of the coastline then the local NWS Weather Forecast Offices will issue Hurricane Local Statements if their areas are threatened. The Atlantic Products contains a link to a map of the coastal areas of the United States and Puerto Rico. This map contains links to the area you choose. If that local NWS is issueing Hurricane Local Statements then that information will appear. From these links you can find detailed local information tailored specifically for your area.

I have a homework/research question. Can you help me?

Possibly, but note that during the hurricane season we are extremely busy. This means that we probably will not be able to get to your question for some time (and that can be days to weeks depending on what's going on in the tropics). With that in mind, here are some excellent sources of information on tropical cyclones that may help you find your answers:

NWS Weather Education (classroom materials, images, graphics)
Tropical Cyclone and Hurricane Frequently Asked Questions
Hurricane Preparedness
NHC Archive of Past Hurricane Seasons
The Deadliest, Costliest, And Most Intense
NOAA Coastal Services Center Historical Hurricane Tracks web site

How are the watch/warning breakpoints decided?

See our breakpoints description for more information.

More Questions about Hurricanes?