NWS Hurricane Forecasts

As a long time (former) Gulf Coast resident and hydrologist I have always been fascinated with tropical storms and hurricanes. I was 10 years old when TS Claudette made landfall in 1979 and set the record for the highest 24 hour rainfall in the US and remember people floating down our street in a canoe.

As an adult I tried to gain a little technical understanding of how these storms work, not only because I was personally fascinated but it was helpful for me professionally. Far and away the most helpful resource to me has always been the NWS website. In particular, the forecast discussions have helpful details that I think a lot of curious or anxious people can benefit from if they take the time to try and understand them.

The men and women who do the forecasts are highly qualified, seasoned professionals who are really the most reliable source of information when there’s a storm in the gulf. For example, Dr. Jack Beven has been working for the National Hurricane Center since 1988 and has been forecasting since the 90’s.

If you are looking for additional information about a tropical storm or hurricane I would encourage you to go to the NWS/NHC website and find the “Forecast Discussion” for the storm you’re interested in.