Real-Time Hurricane Tracking Maps and Models – Monitoring Storms Live

Hurricane season in the Atlantic brings powerful storms that can cause immense damage. Having access to real-time hurricane tracking maps and models is essential for monitoring storms as they form and approach land. This allows people in threatened areas to prepare and respond appropriately.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various hurricane tracking maps and models available, how they work, key features, and how you can use them to stay informed during storm season.

Overview of Hurricane Tracking Technology

Hurricane forecasting and tracking has improved significantly over the past few decades thanks to advanced technology and modeling. Some of the key technologies used include:

• Satellite imagery – Geostationary satellites like GOES provide continuous images of storms to see development. Other satellites assess temperature, rainfall, and more.
• Aircraft reconnaissance – NOAA and Air Force hurricane hunter planes fly into storms to directly sample conditions.
• Buoys – An array of buoys in the Atlantic collects real-time weather data to incorporate into models.
• Doppler radar – As storms approach land, coastal Doppler radars provide detailed precipitation and wind data.
• Computer modeling – Sophisticated computer models ingest all the data to project the storm’s path and intensity.

Combining data from these systems allows for accurate real-time hurricane tracking and forecasting. The various maps and models available leverage these technologies.

Major National Hurricane Tracking Maps

Government agencies provide some of the best interactive hurricane tracking maps with frequent updates. These are reliable sources for official storm forecasting data.

NOAA Hurricane Tracker

• Overview – The National Hurricane Center’s tracking map provides the latest official storm positions and forecasts.
• Key Features
• Official NHC forecast cone for tropical cyclones
• Latest storm position, direction, speed
• 36, 48, 72 hour forecast points
• Links to full forecast discussions
• Storm category, wind speeds
• Watches and warnings
• Model graph forecasts
• Interactive map can overlay weather buoys, radar, satellite
• Information – The NHC map contains the vital official storm forecast data. It’s less flashy but focuses on the key data points.
• Use It For – Getting the official NHC forecast cone and critical storm details. The gold standard for accuracy.

Weather Underground Hurricane Tracker

• Overview – Provides an interactive map with storm positions, forecasts, model data, and meteorologist commentary.
• Key Features
• NHC forecast cone plus “spaghetti” models
• Color-coded probability cone
• Latest storm observations
• Model intensity forecasts
• Explanation of model differences
• Links to preparedness guides
• Animated forecast loop
• Radar, satellite maps
• Meteorologist blog updates
• Information – Combines official NHC forecasts with spaghetti models, radar, and expert commentary. Very comprehensive.
• Use It For – Seeing an overview of model forecasts and getting detailed real-time storm updates. Great supplemental info.

Windy Hurricane Tracker

• Overview – Interactive weather map and model visualization with many layering options.
• Key Features
• Multiple forecast model layers
• Wind speed and direction layers
• Precipitation, cloud cover layers
• Storm surge layer
• Wave height, wave direction layers
• Flexible map overlays
• Animated forecast looping
• Detailed forecast graphs
• Information – Windy provides the most robust interactive weather data layers for a detailed look at model forecasts.
• Use It For – Getting an enhanced visual forecast experience with weather models. Excellent for understanding storm structure.

CYCLOCANE Hurricane Tracker

• Overview – Weather models, satellite maps, and cone of uncertainty from tropical storm expert Ryan Maue.
• Key Features
• NHC forecast cone and model ensemble cone
• Spaghetti models, intensity models
• Satellite, radar, wind maps
• Model forecast comparisons
• Storm preparations guide
• Maue’s expert commentary
• Information – Combines official NHC data with expert insights from meteorologist Ryan Maue. Clean interface.
• Use It For – Getting a quick overview of the forecast cone with Maue’s updates and model comparison.

Regional & Local Hurricane Tracking Maps

In addition to the national trackers, local weather sources provide more detailed and focused maps for their regions. These become especially useful as storms approach the coast.

Local News Station Hurricane Trackers

• Overview – Local news stations offer hurricane maps tailored to their community.
• Key Features
• Zoomed-in local view
• Evacuation zones mapped
• Webcams, traffic cams
• Links to shelters, resources
• Live coverage, streaming
• Reporter updates
• Information – Get a hyperlocal view of the storm’s impacts on a community.
• Use It For – Tracking an ongoing storm’s local effects and getting community-specific preparations.

FEMA Hurricane Tracker

• Overview – FEMA’s map shows potential storm impact areas for planning and response.
• Key Features
• Coastal wind swaths
• Flood and storm surge zones
• Rainfall map
• Shelter locations
• Recovery center locations
• Damage inspection zones
• Information – Focused on potential storm impacts for emergency management.
• Use It For – Planning for a potential disaster response across broad coastal areas.

Wundermap Hurricane Tracker

• Overview – Weather Underground’s multilayer zoomable radar and data map.
• Key Features
• Hurricane tracking layer
• High resolution radar
• Weather station data
• Satellite imagery
• Storm reports
• Lightning strikes
• Webcams
• Information – Detailed real-time weather data as storms approach land.
• Use It For – Highly local tracking and monitoring of rainfall, winds, lightning as a storm hits.

Specialized Hurricane Tracking Maps & Tools

Moving beyond general tracking, some maps provide specialized capabilities for understanding storms. These additional perspectives can reveal more about a storm’s impacts.

Windy Wave Height Hurricane Map

• Overview – Detailed map of forecast wave height models throughout a storm.
• Key Features
• Wave height color maps
• Wave direction arrows
• Wave period tracking
• Animated wave height loop
• Wave height graph forecast
• Information – Focuses specifically on modeling the waves generated by a hurricane.
• Use It For – Understanding potential coastal wave impacts for surge and erosion.

NOAA Storm Surge Map

• Overview – Map showing projected elevation of storm surge flooding.
• Key Features
• Storm surge inundation zones
• Surge height forecast graph
• Links to surge explainer
• Overlays tide gauges
• Comparisons to past hurricanes
• Information – Visualizes the area at risk of storm surge flooding.
• Use It For – Assessing the catastrophic flooding potential near the coast. Critical for evacuations.

NOAA Hurricane Forecast cones – Historical Accuracy

• Overview – Allows comparison of historical hurricane forecasts to actual tracks.
• Key Features
• Archive of past forecast cones and tracks
• View accuracy of different cone timeframes
• Color coded hits and misses
• Percentage accuracy over time
• Information – Illustrates improvements in forecasting over the years. Shows reliability of different cone timeframes.
• Use It For – Gauging the confidence of a particular forecast cone timeframe.

WeatherOps Hurricane Tracker

• Overview – Specialized hurricane data platform for industry professionals.
• Key Features
• Live forecast models and ensembles
• Customizable interface
• Detailed wind speed and direction
• Storm surge visualization
• Rainfall accumulation
• Damage potential metrics
• Information – Focused data for marine energy and insurance professionals.
• Use It For – Advanced storm analysis for offshore operations and risk analysis.

Key Factors to Understanding Hurricane Forecast Maps

• Forecast Cone – Indicates the probable track area, but storms can deviate from the center path. Avoid fixating just on the skinny line.
• Timeframes – Earlier projections have lower confidence than shorter-term forecasts. But don’t ignore long-range outlooks.
• Intensity – The cone alone doesn’t indicate how strong the storm may get. Check the latest NHC forecast.
• Spaghetti Models – Watch for clustering vs divergence in models for indication of forecast confidence.
• Land interaction – Storms weaken after landfall, so inland forecasts are less precise. Watch for rain flooding.
• Storm size – Large storms impact areas well outside the cone. Don’t focus only on the track line location.

Hurricane Tracking Map FAQs

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about understanding and using hurricane tracking maps.

What is the difference between hurricane watches and warnings?

• Hurricane Watch – Conditions are possible within 48 hours. Make preparations.
• Hurricane Warning – Conditions are expected within 36 hours. Complete storm preparations.

How often are hurricane forecast maps updated?

• The NHC updates the official forecast cone 4-5 times daily when storms threaten land. Other trackers update varying with model runs.

What is the “skinny black line” on the forecast map?

• This is the projected or estimated path the storm center may take. But impacts expand outside that line.

What do the different colors on the forecast cone mean?

• The white area is the probable path. Colors indicate confidence levels – reddish tones for lower chances, blues for higher likelihood.

How should I interpret spaghetti model maps?

• Look for clustering vs divergence in the model tracks. Clustering indicates higher forecast confidence. Divergence means lower confidence.

Can I get hurricane tracking apps for my phone?

Yes, many of the tracker sites mentioned above have mobile apps for iOS and Android. Some popular options include the NOAA Hurricane Tracker app and Hurricane Tracker app by EZ Apps.

What tracking maps offer the most detailed wind forecasts?

• Windy provides the most advanced and customizable wind speed/direction layers powered by forecast models. Great for understanding potential wind impacts.

Where can I view satellite imagery of current storms?

• NOAA offers near real-time satellite loops of active storms. Other sites like Tropical Tidbits also compile latest satellite images.

How can I get live updates on a storm near me?

• Local news station trackers and mobile apps offer live streaming coverage with up-to-date conditions as storms approach. Useful to monitor a storm’s localized impacts.

Conclusion

Real-time hurricane tracking maps provide critical visual data to monitor active storms as they develop and approach land. While the NHC provides the official forecast track and details, supplemental trackers add model forecasts, radar, satellite views, and hyperlocal perspectives. Understanding how to read the various data layers allows you to better anticipate a storm’s potential impacts.

As hurricane season approaches each year, bookmark your favorite trusted tracker maps and apps. Ensure you have access to information on storm surge, rainfall, wind and waves to assess risks for your location. Stay weather-aware and prepared by leveraging the life-saving power of modern hurricane tracking technology.