MWx Tropical Storm Center

MWX Tropical Storm Center

Official hurricane outlooks, advisories, warnings, safety information, and tracking tools.

National Hurricane Center

Official tropical cyclone forecasts, advisories, maps, and updates.

Active Tropical Cyclones

View active systems across the Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, and Central Pacific.

Atlantic Tropical Outlook

Track areas of possible tropical development in the Atlantic basin.

Watches & Warnings

Learn what hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings mean.

Hurricane Safety

Official NWS hurricane safety tips before, during, and after storms.

Tropical Weather Discussion

Detailed tropical analysis for the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico.

Know What The Alert Means

Tropical systems use several different outlooks, watches, and warnings. Understanding what each means can help you know when to monitor, prepare, or take action.

MONITOR

Tropical Weather Outlook

Highlights areas that may develop into a tropical depression or tropical storm over the coming days.

PREPARE

Tropical Storm Watch

Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area. Begin reviewing plans and preparing supplies.

ACT

Tropical Storm Warning

Tropical storm conditions are expected. Complete preparations and limit unnecessary travel.

PREPARE

Hurricane Watch

Hurricane conditions are possible. Finalize preparations and review evacuation plans if necessary.

ACT NOW

Hurricane Warning

Hurricane conditions are expected. Complete preparations immediately and follow local instructions.

LIFE THREATENING

Storm Surge Warning

Dangerous inundation from rising ocean water is expected. Evacuate immediately if instructed.

⚠️ Watches vs Warnings

A Watch means conditions are possible. A Warning means conditions are expected or occurring. Warnings require immediate action.

Before The Storm

Before tropical storm or hurricane conditions arrive, focus on finishing preparations, securing your property, and making sure your family knows the plan.

📻 Stay Informed

Monitor official forecasts
Enable emergency alerts
Keep a NOAA Weather Radio nearby
Know your evacuation zone

🏠 Secure Your Home

Bring loose outdoor items inside
Secure windows and doors
Clear gutters and drains
Move valuables away from flood-prone areas

🛒 Finish Supplies

Water and non-perishable food
Medications and first aid supplies
Flashlights and batteries
Pet, baby, and personal needs

📱 Charge Devices

Charge phones and tablets
Charge power banks
Save emergency contacts
Download offline maps

🚗 Prepare To Leave

Fill your gas tank early
Pack your go-bag
Know multiple evacuation routes
Leave early if ordered

👨‍👩‍👧 Check On Others

Contact family and neighbors
Help elderly or disabled residents prepare
Confirm pet shelter plans
Share your evacuation plan

⚠️ MWX Reminder

Do not wait until conditions are already deteriorating. Once heavy rain, surge, or tropical storm-force winds arrive, travel and last-minute preparation can become dangerous.

Hurricane Categories Explained

Hurricanes are classified using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale based on sustained wind speed. While category is important, remember that flooding and storm surge often cause the most fatalities.

CATEGORY 1

74 - 95 mph

Very dangerous winds will produce some damage. Minor damage to roofs, siding, trees, and power lines is possible.

CATEGORY 2

96 - 110 mph

Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage. Many trees may snap or uproot and power outages can last days.

CATEGORY 3

111 - 129 mph

Major hurricane. Devastating damage is possible with widespread utility outages lasting days to weeks.

CATEGORY 4

130 - 156 mph

Catastrophic damage is likely. Severe structural damage can occur and many areas may become uninhabitable for weeks.

CATEGORY 5

157+ mph

Catastrophic destruction is expected. Many homes may be destroyed and some areas could be isolated for extended periods.

⚠️ Important To Remember

Hurricane category only measures wind speed. A lower-category hurricane can still produce deadly storm surge, catastrophic flooding, and tornadoes.

DURING THE STORM

Once tropical storm or hurricane conditions arrive, your focus should shift from preparation to safety. Remain informed, stay sheltered, and avoid unnecessary travel until officials declare conditions safe.

🏠 STAY SHELTERED

Remain indoors during the storm
Stay away from windows and glass doors
Move to an interior room if conditions worsen
Keep pets indoors

📻 MONITOR UPDATES

Keep a NOAA Weather Radio nearby
Monitor emergency alerts
Follow local officials' instructions
Do not rely only on social media

⚡ POWER OUTAGES

Use flashlights instead of candles
Conserve phone battery life
Keep refrigerator doors closed
Have backup power available if possible

🌊 FLOODING & STORM SURGE

Never enter floodwaters
Move to higher ground if flooding threatens
Avoid coastal areas experiencing surge
Follow evacuation orders immediately

🌪️ TORNADO SAFETY

Monitor tornado warnings carefully
Move to the lowest floor available
Stay away from windows
Protect your head and neck

🚫 AVOID THESE MISTAKES

Do not drive through floodwaters
Do not go sightseeing
Do not go outside during peak winds
Do not assume the storm is over

🌀 BEWARE OF THE EYE

If the eye of a hurricane passes over your location, winds may suddenly become calm and skies may partially clear. This is temporary. Dangerous winds will rapidly return from the opposite direction when the eyewall arrives. Stay sheltered until officials declare the storm has passed.

HURRICANE PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Use this checklist before hurricane season and whenever a tropical system threatens your area. Preparation completed before watches and warnings are issued can save valuable time.

🏠 HOME PREPARATION

☐ Secure outdoor furniture
☐ Trim trees and branches
☐ Clear gutters and drains
☐ Check shutters and windows
☐ Move valuables from flood-prone areas

💧 FOOD & WATER

☐ 1 gallon of water per person per day
☐ 3-7 days of non-perishable food
☐ Manual can opener
☐ Baby supplies if needed
☐ Pet food and water

📱 COMMUNICATION

☐ Charge all devices
☐ Charge power banks
☐ Save emergency contacts
☐ Enable emergency alerts
☐ Test NOAA Weather Radio

💊 HEALTH & MEDICAL

☐ Refill prescriptions
☐ Build a first aid kit
☐ Gather medical records
☐ Pack hygiene supplies
☐ Prepare glasses or contacts

🚗 VEHICLE PREPARATION

☐ Fill fuel tank
☐ Check tire pressure
☐ Pack emergency supplies
☐ Keep charging cables available
☐ Know evacuation routes

📄 IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

☐ IDs and licenses
☐ Insurance documents
☐ Medical information
☐ Emergency contact list
☐ Store copies in waterproof containers

⚠️ MWX PREP TIP

The best time to prepare is before a hurricane enters the forecast cone. Gas stations, grocery stores, and hardware stores often become extremely crowded once watches and warnings are issued.

AFTER THE STORM

Even after the winds calm down, hazards can remain. Flooding, downed power lines, damaged buildings, and unsafe roads can still be life-threatening.

⚠️ WAIT FOR THE ALL CLEAR

Continue monitoring local officials
Do not assume conditions are safe
Stay away from closed roads
Return home only when told it is safe

⚡ AVOID POWER LINES

Assume all downed lines are energized
Stay away from damaged utility equipment
Keep children and pets away
Report hazards to authorities

🌊 WATCH FOR FLOODING

Never drive through floodwaters
Avoid standing water
Watch for washed-out roads
Remember floodwater may be contaminated

🏠 CHECK DAMAGE SAFELY

Look for structural damage before entering
Check for gas leaks or strange odors
Photograph damage for insurance
Do not enter unsafe buildings

🔋 GENERATOR SAFETY

Run generators outdoors only
Keep them away from windows and doors
Never use one inside a garage
Follow manufacturer instructions

💧 FOOD & WATER SAFETY

Follow boil-water advisories
Throw away spoiled food
Use bottled water when possible
When in doubt, throw it out

📋 MWX RECOVERY REMINDER

Check on family, neighbors, elderly residents, and anyone who may need help. Document damage, contact your insurance provider, and follow emergency management guidance before beginning cleanup.

HURRICANE HAZARDS EXPLAINED

Hurricanes are more than just wind. Storm surge, flooding, tornadoes, rip currents, and extreme rainfall can all create life-threatening conditions.

🌊 STORM SURGE

Ocean water pushed inland by the storm
Can flood coastal communities rapidly
Often the deadliest hurricane hazard
Evacuate immediately if ordered

🌧️ INLAND FLOODING

Heavy rain can flood areas far from the coast
Creeks, rivers, and streets may rise quickly
Never drive through floodwater
Turn Around, Don’t Drown

🌪️ TORNADOES

Tornadoes can form in outer rainbands
They may happen quickly with little warning
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor
Protect your head and neck

🌬️ DESTRUCTIVE WINDS

Winds can damage roofs, trees, and power lines
Flying debris can be deadly
Stay away from windows
Remain sheltered until winds calm safely

🌊 RIP CURRENTS

Dangerous currents can occur far from landfall
Beach hazards may begin before the storm arrives
Stay out of the water during warnings
Follow lifeguard and local beach guidance

⚡ POWER & UTILITY DANGERS

Downed lines may remain energized
Generators can cause carbon monoxide poisoning
Gas leaks and damaged utilities are possible
Report hazards and keep distance

⚠️ MWX SAFETY NOTE

Do not judge a hurricane only by its category. A weaker storm can still produce deadly flooding, surge, tornadoes, and power outages.

STORM SURGE EXPLAINED

Storm surge is often the deadliest part of a hurricane. It occurs when powerful winds push ocean water inland, causing rapid and destructive coastal flooding.

🌊 WHAT IS STORM SURGE?

Ocean water pushed inland by hurricane winds
Can flood areas well beyond the shoreline
Often arrives before the eye makes landfall
Can rise several feet in only minutes

⚠️ WHY IS IT SO DANGEROUS?

Water is incredibly powerful
Can sweep away vehicles and structures
Often cuts off escape routes
Responsible for many hurricane fatalities

🏠 WHO IS AT RISK?

Coastal communities
Barrier islands
Low-lying areas near bays and estuaries
Locations under evacuation orders

🚗 EVACUATION MATTERS

Storm surge cannot be outrun at the last minute
Leave when local officials order evacuation
Do not wait for visible flooding
Earlier is almost always safer

📏 SURGE VS TIDES

Storm surge is separate from normal tides
High tide can worsen flooding
Even a modest surge can become dangerous
Local geography greatly affects impacts

🌀 CATEGORY ISN'T EVERYTHING

Lower-category storms can produce deadly surge
Storm size often matters more than category
Forward speed can influence impacts
Never focus only on wind speed

⚠️ MWX SAFETY MESSAGE

If local officials issue an evacuation order because of storm surge, leave immediately. Homes can be rebuilt. Lives cannot. Storm surge is one of the most dangerous and deadly hazards associated with hurricanes.

HURRICANE TORNADOES EXPLAINED

Many people are surprised to learn that hurricanes can produce tornadoes. In fact, tornadoes are a common hazard during landfalling tropical cyclones and can occur hundreds of miles from the storm's center.

🌪️ WHY DO TORNADOES FORM?

Hurricanes contain tremendous wind shear
Rainbands often develop rotating thunderstorms
Low cloud bases make rotation easier to stretch
Tornadoes can form quickly with little warning

📍 WHERE DO THEY OCCUR?

Most often in outer rainbands
Frequently occur away from the eyewall
Can happen far inland after landfall
Often concentrated on one side of the storm

➡️ THE RIGHT-FRONT QUADRANT

Typically the highest tornado risk area
Located to the right of storm motion
Enhanced wind shear increases rotation
Many hurricane tornadoes develop here

⚡ HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?

Usually weaker than Great Plains tornadoes
Often rain-wrapped and difficult to see
Can develop very rapidly
May occur during poor visibility

📻 WARNING SIGNS

Monitor Tornado Warnings carefully
Listen for emergency alerts
Watch radar updates when available
Do not rely on visual confirmation

🛡️ TORNADO SAFETY

Move to the lowest floor available
Stay away from windows
Use an interior room
Protect your head and neck

⚠️ MWX EDUCATIONAL NOTE

Hurricane tornadoes are often difficult to see because they are wrapped in heavy rain. Many occur at night and can form quickly. Always take Tornado Warnings seriously, even if the hurricane's center is still far away.

HOW HURRICANES ARE FORECAST

Meteorologists use satellites, aircraft, ocean observations, radar, and computer models to forecast tropical systems. No single tool predicts a hurricane on its own—forecasts are created using many sources of information.

🛰️ SATELLITES

Monitor storms over open ocean
Track storm structure and movement
Estimate storm intensity
Provide continuous observations

✈️ HURRICANE HUNTERS

Aircraft fly directly into storms
Measure wind speed and pressure
Collect data unavailable from satellites
Improve forecast accuracy

📡 DOPPLER RADAR

Used when storms approach land
Tracks rainfall and rotation
Identifies tornado-producing rainbands
Monitors storm evolution

🌊 OCEAN BUOYS

Measure waves and sea state
Monitor water temperatures
Track pressure changes
Provide real-time observations

💻 COMPUTER MODELS

Project future storm tracks
Estimate strengthening or weakening
Analyze atmospheric conditions
Used alongside expert analysis

📈 FORECAST CONE

Shows probable center track
Does not show impact area
Hazards often extend outside the cone
Never focus only on the center line

⚠️ MWX EDUCATIONAL NOTE

The forecast cone shows where the center of the storm is most likely to track. Dangerous weather such as tornadoes, flooding, storm surge, and strong winds can occur far outside the cone itself.

HURRICANE ANATOMY

Hurricanes are made up of several different parts, each with its own weather conditions and hazards. Understanding hurricane structure helps explain why impacts can vary dramatically across a storm.

🌀 THE EYE

The calm center of the hurricane
Usually contains lighter winds
Skies may partially clear temporarily
Dangerous conditions return quickly after it passes

🌪️ THE EYEWALL

The most dangerous part of the storm
Contains the strongest winds
Produces the heaviest rainfall
Often where the worst damage occurs

🌧️ RAINBANDS

Bands of heavy rain extending outward
Can produce tornadoes
Contain gusty winds and flooding rain
May impact areas far from the center

🌊 STORM SURGE

Ocean water pushed inland by the storm
Causes severe coastal flooding
Often the deadliest hurricane hazard
Can occur long before landfall

🌬️ WIND FIELD

The area impacted by tropical storm-force winds
Can extend hundreds of miles outward
Larger storms affect wider regions
Wind impacts are not limited to the eyewall

📍 FORWARD MOTION

The direction the hurricane is moving
Can increase wind speeds on one side
Impacts rainfall and tornado risk
Slower storms often cause more flooding

⚠️ MWX EDUCATIONAL NOTE

The strongest part of a hurricane is typically the eyewall, while the right-front side of the storm often contains the greatest tornado threat and strongest storm surge impacts.

HURRICANE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hurricanes can be confusing and sometimes misunderstood. Here are answers to some of the most common questions people ask during hurricane season.

❓ Can hurricanes produce tornadoes?

Yes. Hurricanes frequently produce tornadoes, especially in their outer rainbands and often in the right-front quadrant of the storm.

❓ Why is the eye calm?

Air sinks inside the eye, reducing clouds and wind. However, dangerous conditions return rapidly when the opposite eyewall arrives.

❓ Is Category 5 the strongest possible hurricane?

Yes. The Saffir-Simpson Scale currently tops out at Category 5, which begins at sustained winds of 157 mph.

❓ Can a Category 1 be dangerous?

Absolutely. Flooding, storm surge, and tornadoes can make even lower-category hurricanes deadly.

❓ Why do hurricanes weaken over land?

Hurricanes are fueled by warm ocean water. Once over land, they lose access to that energy source and begin weakening.

❓ Can hurricanes cross the equator?

No. Hurricanes require the Coriolis Effect to rotate, and that effect is too weak near the equator.

❓ What does the forecast cone mean?

The cone shows where the center of the storm is most likely to travel. Dangerous weather often occurs well outside the cone.

❓ Should I focus only on the category?

No. Storm surge, flooding, storm size, speed, and tornadoes often determine impacts more than category alone.

❓ How long can hurricane impacts last?

Power outages, flooding, and recovery efforts can continue for days, weeks, or even months after landfall.

🌀 MWX REMINDER

Every hurricane is different. Always follow official forecasts, warnings, and instructions from local emergency management officials.

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