OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL COORDINATOR FOR

METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTING RESEARCH

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Hurricane

Operations Plan

National Hurricane

Operations Plan

FCM-P12-2004

Washington, DC Washington, DC

May 2004 May 2004

Hurricane Isabel - 16 September 2003 Hurricane Isabel - 16 September 2003
THE FEDERAL COMMITTEE FOR

METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTING RESEARCH (FCMSSR)

VADM CONRAD C. LAUTENBACHER, JR., USN (RET.) 

Chairman, Department of Commerce

VACANT

Office of Science and Technology Policy

DR. RAYMOND MOTHA 

Department of Agriculture

BRIG GEN DAVID L. JOHNSON, USAF (RET.)

Department of Commerce

MR. ALAN SHAFFER

Department of Defense

DR. ARISTIDES PATRINOS

Department of Energy

DR. PARNEY ALBRIGHT

Science and Technology Directorate

Department of Homeland Security

DR. ROBERT M. HIRSCH

Department of the Interior

MR. RALPH BRAIBANTI

Department of State

MR. RANDOLPH LYON

Office of Management and Budget

MR. JAMES H. WASHINGTON

Department of Transportation

MR. ANTHONY LOWE

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Department of Homeland Security

DR. GHASSEM R. ASRAR

National Aeronautics and Space

 Administration

DR. MARGARET S. LEINEN

National Science Foundation

MR. PAUL MISENCIK

National Transportation Safety Board

MR. JACK R. STROSNIDER

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

DR. GARY FOLEY

Environmental Protection Agency

MR. SAMUEL P. WILLIAMSON

Federal Coordinator 

MR. JAMES B. HARRISON, Executive Secretary

Office of the Federal Coordinator for

Meteorological Services and Supporting Research

THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR

METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTING RESEARCH (ICMSSR)

MR. SAMUEL P. WILLIAMSON, Chairman

Federal Coordinator

MR. THOMAS PUTERBAUGH

Department of Agriculture

MR. JOHN E. JONES, JR.

Department of Commerce

RADM STEVEN J. TOMASZESKI, USN

United States Navy

Department of Defense

BRIG GEN THOMAS E. STICKFORD, USAF

United States Air Force

Department of Defense

MR. RICKEY PETTY

Department of Energy

MS. NANCY SUSKI

Science and Technology Directorate

Department of Homeland Security

MR. LEWIS T. MOORE

Department of the Interior

MS. REGINA MCELROY

Federal Highway Administration

Department of Transportation

MR. RICHARD HEUWINKEL (Acting)

Federal Aviation Administration

Department of Transportation

DR. JONATHAN M. BERKSON

United States Coast Guard

Department of Homeland Security

MR. JEFFREY MACLURE

Department of State

DR. S. T. RAO

Environmental Protection Agency

MR. JOHN GAMBEL

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Department of Homeland Security

DR. RAMESH KAKAR

National Aeronautics and Space

 Administration

DR. JARVIS MOYERS

National Science Foundation

MR. DONALD E. EICK

National Transportation Safety Board

MS. LETA A. BROWN

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

MS. ERIN WUCHTE

Office of Management and Budget

MR. JAMES B. HARRISON, Executive Secretary

Office of the Federal Coordinator for

Meteorological Services and Supporting Research
FEDERAL COORDINATOR 

FOR 

METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTING RESEARCH

8455 Colesville Road, Suite 1500

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 

NATIONAL HURRICANE OPERATIONS PLAN

FCM-P12-2004

Washington, D.C.

May 2004
ii

CHANGE AND REVIEW LOG

Use this page to record changes and notices of reviews.

Change

Number

Page

Numbers

Date

Posted Initial 

 1

 2

 3

 4

 5

 6

 7

 8

 9

10

Changes are indicated by a vertical line in the margin next to the

change or by shading and strikeouts.

Review Date Comments Initial 
iii

FOREWORD

The Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference (IHC) is sponsored annually by the Office of the

Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (OFCM) to provide a

forum for the responsible Federal agencies, together with representatives from the user communities

like emergency management, to review the Nation’s hurricane forecast and warning program and

to make recommendations on how to improve the program in the future. The major objective is to

plan and prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. The 58th IHC was held in Charleston, South

Carolina, March 1-5, 2004, and the new procedures, procedural changes, and agreements reached

at the conference were incorporated into this publication--the 42nd edition of the National Hurricane

Operations Plan (NHOP).

At the 58th IHC, the Working Group for Hurricane and Winter Storms Operations and Research

(WG/HWSOR) addressed six action items. Of the six, one was for information only, and four were

closed through incorporation into the NHOP as approved recommendations and/or changes. In the

remaining action item, the Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center (TPC/NHC)

requested that the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) increase the

run frequency to four times daily and extend the forecast period out to 126 hours for the GFDN

model (the Navy version of the GFDL hurricane model) so that TPC/NHC could make greater use

of the model. The Navy agreed to the request on a resources-permitting basis. The action items will

be published on the OFCM web site at www.ofcm.gov.

This edition includes a number of minor revisions and changes to Chapter 3, General Operations

and Procedures of the National Weather Service Hurricane Centers, and Chapter 5, Aircraft

Reconnaissance. Chapter 6, Satellite Reconnaissance; Chapter 8, National Data Buoy Capabilities

and Requirements; and Appendix A, Local National Weather Service (NWS) Office Products, were

substantially updated.

The 2003 Atlantic tropical cyclone season was a record season which extended from April until

December. Hurricane Isabel caused record flooding in upper Chesapeake Bay and major flooding

along the North Carolina coast; Hurricane Fabian was the worst hurricane to hit Bermuda in over

75 years; and Hurricane Juan was the worst hurricane to hit Halifax, Nova Scotia, in its modern

history. Tropical Storm Ana was the first Atlantic tropical storm on record in the month of April,

and Tropical Storm Odette was the first storm on record to form in the Caribbean Sea in the month

of December. Of particular note, Hurricane Isabel was an exceptionally long-lived storm that

strengthened at one point to a Category 5 hurricane and resulted in 17 deaths and over $3.37 billion

in damage following landfall in North Carolina. The bottom line: Our multiagency tropical cyclone

warning support system superbly responded to the challenges of this record-breaking season--a

tribute to the professionalism, dedication, and cooperation of the civilian and military agencies

involved.

Samuel P. Williamson

Federal Coordinator for Meteorological

 Services and Supporting Research
iv
v

NATIONAL HURRICANE OPERATIONS PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page

CHANGE AND REVIEW LOG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................... v

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

1.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

1.2. Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

CHAPTER 2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF COOPERATING FEDERAL AGENCIES . 2-1

2.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

2.2. DOC Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

2.3. DOD Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

2.4. DOT/DHS Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

2.5. Annual Liaison with Other Nations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

2.6. Air Traffic Control/Flight Operations Coordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

CHAPTER 3 GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES OF THE NATIONAL

WEATHER SERVICE HURRICANE CENTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

3.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

3.2. Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

3.3. Designation of Tropical and Subtropical Cyclones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

3.4. Transfer of Warning Responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

3.5. Alternate Warning Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

3.6. Abbreviated Communications Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

3.7. Hurricane Liaison Team (HLT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

CHAPTER 4 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PRODUCTS FOR THE

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

4.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

4.2. Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

4.3. Tropical Cyclone Forecast/Advisories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

CHAPTER 5 AIRCRAFT RECONNAISSANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

5.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

5.2. Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

5.3. Control of Aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

5.4. Reconnaissance Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

5.5. Reconnaissance Planning and Flight Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

5.6. Reconnaissance Effectiveness Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
vi

5.7. Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Encoding, Reporting,

and Coordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20

5.8. Operational Flight Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23

5.9. Aircraft Reconnaissance Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26

CHAPTER 6 SATELLITE SURVEILLANCE OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL

CYCLONES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

6.1. Satellites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

6.2. National Weather Service (NWS) Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

6.3. NESDIS Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

6.4. Air Force Support and the Defense Meteorological

Satellite Program (DMSP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

6.5. Satellites and Satellite Data Availability for the

Current Hurricane Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9

6.6. Current Intensity and Tropical Classification Number . . . . . . . . . . 6-13

CHAPTER 7 SURFACE RADAR REPORTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

7.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

7.2. The WSR-88D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

7.3. Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

CHAPTER 8 NATIONAL DATA BUOY CAPABILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS 8-1

8.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

8.2. Requests for Drifting Buoy Deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2

8.3. Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2

CHAPTER 9 MARINE WEATHER BROADCASTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

9.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

9.2. Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

(GMDSS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

9.3. Coastal Maritime Safety Broadcasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2

9.4. High Seas Broadcasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2

9.5. Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3

CHAPTER 10 PUBLICITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

10.1. News Media Releases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

10.2. Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
vii

APPENDIX A LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS)

 OFFICE PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

APPENDIX B DEFINING POINTS FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE WATCHS/

WARNINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

APPENDIX C JOINT TYPHOON WARNING CENTER (JTWC) BULLETINS . . . . C-1

APPENDIX D FORMAT FOR NHOP/NWSOP FLIGHT INFORMATION FOR

INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC NOTAM ISSUANCE . . . . . . . D-1

APPENDIX E SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1

APPENDIX F OFFICIAL INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-1

APPENDIX G RECCO, HDOB, MINOB, AND TEMP DROP CODES, TABLES, AND

REGULATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1

APPENDIX H WSR-88D OPERATIONS PLAN FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE

EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-1

APPENDIX I TELEPHONE AND TELETYPE LISTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1

APPENDIX J PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION LISTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J-1

APPENDIX K ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-1

APPENDIX L GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L-1

APPENDIX M DISTRIBUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M-1
viii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

1-1. Tropical cyclone forecast centers' areas of responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

2-1. Typhoon Pongsona, December 9, 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

3-1. HPC Public Advisory Product Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

3-2. Aviation Tropical Cyclone Advisory Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

4-1. Tropical cyclone forecast/advisory format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

4-2. Tropical cyclone public advisory format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

5-1. WC-130 Weather Reconnaissance Aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

5-2. G-IV Weather Surveillance Aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

5-3. NOAA P-3 Weather Surveillance Aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

5-4. Vortex data message worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

5-5. Supplementary vortex data message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

5-6. Example Vortex Data Messages (VDM) and Supplementary Vortex Data

Messages (SVDM) for the WC-130H and WC-130J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13

5-7. NHOP coordinated request for aircraft reconnaissance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

5-8. Tropical cyclone plan of the day format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15

5-9. Mission evaluation form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21

5-10. Flight pattern ALPHA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23

5-11. Suggested patterns for investigative missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24

5-12. Schematic of aircraft-to-satellite data link for NOAA P-3 aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27

5-13. Schematic of aircraft-to-satellite data link for AFRC WC-130 aircraft . . . . . . . . . . 5-28

6-1. The GOES satellite system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

6-2. Center fix data form and message format (satellite) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

8-1. Example Buoy and Float Deployment Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5

A-1. Hurricane Local Statement Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5

A-2. Inland Wind NPW Product Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7

A-3. Post-Tropical Cyclone Report Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-9

B-1. Tropical Cyclone Break Points for the Northeast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

B-2. Tropical Cyclone Break Points for the Southeast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

B-3. Tropical Cyclone Break Points for the Gulf of Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4

G-1. Reconnaissance code recording form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-2

G-2. HDOB Description and Sample Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-6

G-3. MinOb Description and Sample Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-8

G-4. Example TEMP DROP Message for Tropical Cyclones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-15
ix

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

3-1. Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

3-2. Eastern Pacific Tropical Cyclone Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

3-3. Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

3-4. International Tropical Cyclone Names for the Western Pacific and

South China Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

5-1. Requirement for aircraft reconnaissance data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

5-2. Vortex data message entry explanation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

6-1. Communications headings for satellite tropical weather discussion summaries . . . . 6-7

6-2. Satellite and satellite data availability for the current hurricane season . . . . . . . . . . 6-9

6-3. The empirical relationship between the C.I. number and the maximum 

wind speed and the relationship between the T-number and the minimum 

sea-level pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13

7-1. Participating radar stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

8-1. Moored buoy locations and configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3

8-2. C-MAN sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

8-3. Code forms for moored data buoys, C-MAN stations, and drifting buoys . . . . . . . . 8-6

G-l. Reconnaissance code tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-3

G-2. Reconnaissance code regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-5

G-3. HDOB Message Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-7

G-4. NOAA MinOb Message Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-9

G-5. TEMP DROP code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-10
1-1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1. General. The tropical cyclone warning service is an interdepartmental effort to provide the

United States and designated international recipients with forecasts, warnings, and assessments

concerning tropical and subtropical weather systems. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration (NOAA) of the Department of Commerce (DOC) is responsible for providing

forecasts and warnings for the Atlantic and Eastern and Central Pacific Oceans while the

Department of Defense (DOD) provides the same services for the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean

(see Figure 1-1). NOAA, along with other Federal agencies such as the U.S. Navy and the National

Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), also conducts supporting research efforts to

improve tropical cyclone warning services. The bottom line--this interdepartmental cooperation

achieves economy and efficiency in the provision of the tropical cyclone warning services to the

Nation. The National Hurricane Operations Plan provides the basis for implementing agreements

reached at the Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference (IHC), which is sponsored annually by the

Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research. The goal

of the IHC is to bring together the responsible Federal agencies to achieve agreement on items of

mutual concern related to tropical cyclone warning services for the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

1.2. Scope. The procedures and agreements contained herein apply to the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf

of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and the Pacific Ocean. The plan defines the role of the individual

agencies participating in the tropical cyclone warning service when more than one agency is

involved in the delivery of service in any specific area. When a single agency is involved in any

specific area, that agency's procedures should be contained in internal documents and, to the extent

possible, be consistent with NHOP practices and procedures. Please note that under the National

Weather Service Modernization Plan, the former National Hurricane Center (NHC) was

incorporated into the Tropical Prediction Center (TPC), one of the seven service-oriented centers

and two central support activities that comprise the National Centers for Environmental Prediction

(NCEP)--formerly the National Meteorological Center. The tropical cyclone warning mission still

resides with the NHC (Hurricane Specialist Unit), which is a major component of the TPC. For

completeness, the NHC will be referred to as TPC/NHC throughout the document.
1-2

Figure 1-1. Tropical cyclone forecast centers' areas of responsibility

Note: While the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) has physically moved to Pearl

Harbor, Hawaii, its area of responsibility remains unchanged.
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CHAPTER 2

RESPONSIBILITIES OF COOPERATING FEDERAL AGENCIES

2.1. General. The Department of Commerce (DOC), through the National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is charged with the overall responsibility to implement a

responsive, effective national tropical cyclone warning service. Many local, state, and Federal

agencies play a vital role in this system; their cooperative efforts help ensure that necessary

preparedness actions are taken to minimize loss of life and destruction of property. The joint

participation by the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Transportation (DOT)

with the DOC brings to bear those limited and expensive Federal resources considered essential for

storm detection and accurate forecasting. This cooperative effort has proven to be a cost- effective,

highly responsive endeavor to meet national requirements for tropical cyclone warning information.

2.2. DOC Responsibilities.

2.2.1. Forecast and Warning Services. The DOC will provide timely dissemination of

forecasts, warnings, and all significant information regarding tropical and subtropical cyclones to

the appropriate agencies, marine and aviation interests, and the general public.

2.2.2. Support to DOD. Through NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS), the DOC will:

• Consult, as necessary, with the DOD regarding their day-to-day requirements for

forecast/advisory services and attempt to meet these requirements within the

capabilities of the tropical cyclone warning service.

• Provide, through the Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center

(TPC/NHC), the coordinated DOC requirements for weather reconnaissance and

other meteorological data to be acquired by the DOD on tropical or subtropical

cyclones and disturbances.

• Provide facilities, administrative support, and the means to disseminate

meteorological data for the Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination, All

Hurricanes (CARCAH) as agreed to by the DOC and DOD.

• Provide the DOD with basic meteorological information, warnings, forecasts, and

associated prognostic reasoning concerning location, intensity, and forecast

movement of tropical and subtropical cyclones in the following maritime areas,

including the adjacent states and possessions of the United States:
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< Atlantic Ocean (north of the equator including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf

of Mexico). Advisories are the responsibility of the Director, TPC/NHC,

Miami, FL. The TPC/NHC will consult with the Naval Atlantic

Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NAVLANTMETOCCEN),

Norfolk, VA, prior to issuing initial and final advisories and prior to issuing

any advisory that indicates a significant change in forecast of intensity or

track from the previous advisory. Exchange of information is encouraged

on subsequent warnings when significant changes are made or otherwise

required.

< Eastern Pacific Ocean (north of the equator and east of 140°W). Advisories

are the responsibility of the Director, TPC/NHC, Miami, FL. The

TPC/NHC will consult with the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC),

Pearl Harbor, HI, prior to issuing initial and final advisories and prior to

issuing any advisory that indicates a significant change in forecast of

intensity or track from the previous advisory. Exchange of information is

encouraged on subsequent warnings when significant changes are made or

otherwise required.

< Central Pacific Ocean (north of the equator between 140°W and 180°).

Advisories are the responsibility of the Director, Central Pacific Hurricane

Center (CPHC), Honolulu, HI. The CPHC will consult with JTWC prior to

issuing initial and final advisories and prior to issuing any advisory that

indicates a significant change in forecast of intensity or track from the

previous advisory. Exchange of information is encouraged on subsequent

warnings when significant changes are made or otherwise required.

< West Pacific Ocean (Guam and Micronesia). Public advisories are prepared

by the NWS Forecast Office, Tiyan, Guam, using the tropical cyclone

forecasts/advisories prepared by JTWC.

2.2.3. Post Analysis of Tropical Cyclones. The DOC, through NWS, will conduct an

annual post analysis for all tropical cyclones in the Atlantic and the Pacific regions east of 180° and

prepare an annual hurricane report for issue to interested agencies.

2.2.4. Environmental Satellite Systems. The National Environmental Satellite, Data, and

Information Service (NESDIS) will:

• Operate DOC environmental satellite systems capable of providing coverage of

meteorological conditions in the tropics during the tropical cyclone season, and

monitor and interpret DOC satellite imagery.
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• Obtain, as necessary, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

research and development satellite data and Defense Meteorological Satellite

Program (DMSP) data for NWS operational use and to comply with TPC/NHC

and CPHC satellite data requirements.

• Provide, resources permitting, surveillance support with fixes and/or intensity

estimates to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), TPC/NHC, and CPHC

through analysis of all available satellite imagery.

Figure 2-1. Typhoon Pongsona, December 9, 2002
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2.2.5. Data Buoy Systems. Through the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), the DOC will,

subject to available funding, develop, deploy, and operate environmental data buoy systems and

automated coastal stations to support the data requirements of TPC/NHC and CPHC.

2.2.6. Weather Reconnaissance. Through the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation

Operations (OMAO), DOC will provide weather reconnaissance flights, including synoptic

surveillance, as specified in Chapter 5, unless relieved of these responsibilities by the Administrator

of NOAA.

2.3. DOD Responsibilities. The DOD will:

• Disseminate in a timely manner significant meteorological information on tropical and

subtropical cyclones to the NWS.

• Provide TPC/NHC and CPHC current DOD requirements for tropical and subtropical

cyclone advisories.

• Meet DOC requirements for aircraft reconnaissance and other special observations as

agreed to by DOD and DOC (see Appendix F).

• Provide at TPC/NHC a 24-hour aircraft operations interface--Chief, Aerial

Reconnaissance Coordination, All Hurricanes (CARCAH).

• Designate CARCAH as the liaison to TPC/NHC. CARCAH will serve as TPC/NHC's

point of contact to request special DOD observations in support of this plan; i.e.,

DMSP fixes, additional upper-air observations, etc.

• Provide weather reconnaissance data monitor services to evaluate and disseminate

reconnaissance reports.

• Provide, resources permitting, through the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA),

Offutt AFB, NE, and the 17th Operational Weather Squadron Meteorological Satellite

(MetSat) Operations Flight (17 OWS/WXJ), Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Pearl

Harbor, HI, surveillance support with fixes and or intensity and gale-wind estimates

to all United States tropical cyclone warning agencies through analysis of satellite

imagery obtained primarily from the DMSP system. AFWA support will typically be

world-wide, while the JTWC MetSat Operations Flight support focuses on the Indian

Ocean and the Central, South, and Northwest Pacific Ocean.

• Western Pacific Ocean (north of the equator): Provide NWS with basic

meteorological information, forecasts, and associated prognostic reasoning,

concerning location, intensity and forecast movement of tropical cyclones for the

Northwest Pacific west of 180o

. JTWC will consult with the NWS Forecast Office

(NWSFO), Tiyan, Guam, regarding all tropical cyclones affecting Micronesia and
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Guam. Consultation will occur prior to issuing initial and final advisories and prior

to issuing any advisory that indicates a significant change in forecast intensity or track

from the previous advisory.

• Initiate, monitor, and update satellite invest areas on the tropical cyclone satellite

websites provided by the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center

(FNMOC) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Monterey, California.

TPC/NHC and CPHC will coordinate with JTWC on the initiation of desired invest

areas and will provide JTWC numbers for invest areas as required.

• Deploy, through the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO), drifting data

buoys in support of Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT)

requirements.

2.4. DOT/DHS Responsibilities.

2.4.1. Information Dissemination. The DOT will provide NWS with timely dissemination

of significant information received regarding tropical and subtropical cyclones.

2.4.2. Flight Assistance. Through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the DOT will

provide air traffic control, communications, and flight assistance services.

2.4.3. U. S. Coast Guard. The DOT will provide the following through the U.S. Coast

Guard:

• Personnel, vessel, and communications support to the NDBC for development,

deployment, and operation of moored environmental data buoy systems.

• Surface observations to NWS from its coastal facilities and vessels.

• Communications circuits for relay of weather observations to NWS in selected

areas.

• Coastal broadcast facilities at selected locations for tropical storm or hurricane

forecasts and warnings.

2.5. Annual Liaison with Other Nations. The DOD, DOC, and DOT will cooperate in arranging

an annual trip to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico area to carry out a continuing and effective

liaison with the directors of meteorological services, air traffic control agencies, and disaster

preparedness agencies of nations in those areas, regarding the provision of tropical cyclone warning

services. The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and TPC/NHC jointly have the responsibility

to plan and execute this mission, resources permitting. TPC/NHC will coordinate with the

meteorological services in the countries to be visited. AFRC will fly the mission and will issue
2-6

invitational travel orders (ITO) to the TPC/NHC Director and staff, other U.S. officials, and the

media on a non-interference, non-reimbursable basis.

2.6. Air Traffic Control/Flight Operations Coordination. The operations officers of the

principal flying units, the Assistant Manager, Operations, Air Traffic Control System Command

Center, Herndon, VA, and the assistant managers for traffic management or assistant manager for

military operations, as appropriate, at key Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) will maintain

a close working relationship on a continuing basis to ensure mission success under actual tropical

storm conditions. This will involve visits to each other's facilities, familiarization flights, and

telephone and teletype communications to improve the understanding of each other's requirements

and capabilities.

2.6.1. Gulf of Mexico Weather Reconnaissance. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance

Squadron and the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center operations officers will maintain a close

working relationship with the Air Traffic Control System Command Center, the ARTCCs, and the

Fleet Aerial Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC) for the coordination of weather

reconnaissance flights in the Gulf of Mexico and over the Caribbean Sea in particular, and in the

United States in general. The operations officers will:

• Request the assistance of the appropriate ARTCC/FACSFAC in support of the

National Hurricane Operations Plan.

• Provide the current operations officer's name and telephone number to the

appropriate ARTCC and FACSFAC.

• Publish the unit's telephone numbers [Defense Switched Network

(DSN)/Commercial] and teletype address code for Service B (Appendix I).

2.6.2. Air Traffic Control Assistance. The Air Traffic Control System Command Center,

appropriate ARTCCs, and FACSFAC will maintain a close working relationship with the weather

reconnaissance units and provide airspace and air traffic control assistance to the extent possible.

Those organizations will:

• Provide the current names and telephone numbers of points of contact to the

flying units.

• Publish telephone numbers (DSN/Commercial) and teletype code for Service B

(Appendix I).
3-1

CHAPTER 3

GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES OF THE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HURRICANE CENTERS

3.1. General. This chapter describes the products, procedures, and communications headers used

by the Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center (TPC/NHC) and the Central Pacific

Hurricane Center (CPHC). See Appendix A for a description of local National Weather Service

(NWS) office products which support the tropical cyclone forecast and warning program. 

3.2. Products.

3.2.1. Tropical Weather Outlook (TWO). Tropical weather outlooks are prepared and

issued by the TPC/NHC and CPHC during their respective hurricane seasons. The TPC/NHC writes

TWOs for both the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Basins. They are transmitted at 0530, 1130, 1730,

and 2230 Eastern Local Time in the Atlantic and at 0400, 1000, 1600, and 2200 Pacific Local Time.

In the Central Pacific, TWOs are transmitted by the CPHC at 0200, 0800, 1400, and 2000 UTC. The

outlook briefly describes significant areas of disturbed weather and their potential for tropical

cyclone development out to 48 hours. A tropical weather summary of Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, and

Central Pacific tropical cyclone activity will be prepared and issued at the end of each month during

the hurricane season.

3.2.2. Tropical Cyclone Discussion. The TPC/NHC and the CPHC will, as appropriate,

issue tropical cyclone discussions on Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, and Central Pacific tropical cyclones

at 0300, 0900, 1500, and 2100 UTC. Discussions will contain preliminary prognostic positions and

maximum wind-speed forecasts up to 72 hours; will describe objective techniques, synoptic features,

and climatology used; and will provide reasons for track changes.

3.2.3. Tropical Cyclone Public Advisories. Tropical cyclone public advisories are issued

by the TPC/NHC for all tropical cyclones in the Atlantic. In the Eastern Pacific, tropical cyclone

public advisories are issued by TPC/NHC for tropical cyclones that are expected to affect land

within 48 hours. In the Central Pacific, tropical cyclone public advisories are issued by CPHC for

all tropical cyclones within the area of responsibility. Tropical cyclone public advisories are issued

at the same time scheduled tropical cyclone forecast/advisories are issued; i.e., 0300, 0900, 1500,

and 2100 UTC. Watch and warning break points are listed in Appendix B. In the Western Pacific,

public advisories are issued by the NWS Forecast Office (WFO), Tiyan, Guam, for all tropical

cyclones within the Territory of Guam and Micronesia, using tropical cyclone forecasts/advisories

prepared by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) as guidance.

[NOTE: To further publicize local products, when a tropical cyclone threatens a land area, the

following statement shall be included in the advisory...“For storm information specific to your

area...please monitor products issued by your local weather office.” Tropical cyclone public

advisories use statute miles for distance and miles per hour for speed. Nautical miles and knots may

be added at the discretion of the centers. Atlantic advisories should include the metric units in
1

 Atlantic Basin includes the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico

3-2

kilometers and kilometers per hour following the equivalent English units except when the United

States is the only country threatened.]

3.2.4. Tropical Cyclone Forecast/Advisories. Tropical cyclone forecast/advisories are

issued by the TPC/NHC and the CPHC. See Section 4.3 for content and format of the advisories.

In both the Atlantic and Pacific, the advisories are scheduled for 0300, 0900, 1500, and 2100 UTC.

Pacific advisories should be transmitted 15 minutes before the effective time. In the Western

Pacific, tropical cyclone forecasts/advisories are issued by the JTWC; Appendix C provides a listing

of the abbreviated communications headings and titles for JTWC products. Information on the

broadcast of tropical cyclone information to coastal and high-seas shipping can be found in Chapter

9, Marine Weather Broadcasts.

3.2.5. Probability of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Conditions.

3.2.5.1. When Issued. The probability of hurricane/tropical storm conditions shall

be issued in tabular form at regularly scheduled tropical cyclone public advisory and tropical

cyclone forecast/advisory times. These probabilities will generally be carried for all named storms

in the Atlantic Basin1

 within 72 hours of forecasted landfall. In addition, TPC/NHC may issue

probabilities for tropical depressions forecast to become named storms and be a threat to land within

72 hours. When a tropical cyclone is forecast to track parallel to a coastline, maximum values over

water points should be included, and the tropical cyclone public advisory should state that the

highest probabilities are over water. The 72-hour cumulative probabilities of less than 5 percent are

not included in the transmitted probability tables. 

3.2.5.2. When Computed. The probabilities, which are based on the official forecast

track, should be issued when the 72-hour forecast position approaches the coast and should be

carried in advisories until the storm makes landfall. Two conditions in which probability

information should not be issued are: (1) the hurricane/tropical storm has made landfall and is not

expected to reemerge over water and/or (2) the computed probability values are not significant. At

the discretion of the hurricane forecaster, probabilities need not be listed for sites where the tropical

storm or hurricane would likely be over land or less than tropical storm strength at the time it would

affect the site. TPC/NHC may include a brief explanation of probabilities in the advisory.

 

These probabilities should be computed shortly after synoptic times for the 0-24, 24-36, 36-48,

and 48-72 hours. A total probability for the next 72 hours should be shown in the last column and

should represent a total of all forecast periods. The probability of the storm striking a coastal

location within 48 hours may be determined by adding the 0-24, 24-36, and 36-48 hour probabilities.

If the probability for a location is less than 1 percent, an "X" will be indicated in the table. If

probabilities are not to be issued, a statement will be included in both the tropical cyclone public

advisory and the tropical cyclone forecast/advisory. Refer to Probability of Hurricane/Tropical

Storm Conditions: A User's Manual for further information.
3-3

3.2.5.3. Locations. When appropriate, specific probabilities will be computed for

the following locations:

Brownsville, TX Fort Pierce, FL

Corpus Christi, TX Cocoa Beach, FL

Port O'Connor, TX Daytona Beach, FL

Galveston, TX Jacksonville, FL

Port Arthur, TX Savannah, GA

New Iberia, LA Charleston, SC

New Orleans, LA Myrtle Beach, SC

Buras, LA Wilmington, NC

Gulfport, MS Morehead City, NC

Mobile, AL Cape Hatteras, NC

Pensacola, FL Norfolk, VA

Panama City, FL Ocean City, MD

Apalachicola, FL Atlantic City, NJ

St. Marks, FL New York City, NY

Cedar Key, FL Montauk Point, NY

Tampa, FL Providence, RI

Venice, FL Nantucket Island, MA

Fort Myers, FL Hyannis, MA

Marco Island, FL Boston, MA

Key West, FL Portland, ME

Marathon, FL Bar Harbor, ME

Miami, FL Eastport, ME

West Palm Beach, FL 28N 93W

29N 85W 28N 95W

29N 87W 27N 96W

28N 89W 25N 96W

28N 91W

Note: Probabilities are not issued for the west coast of the continental United States, Hawaii,

and the Territory of Guam and Micronesia.

3.2.6. Tropical Cyclone Updates. Tropical cyclone updates are brief statements in lieu of

or preceding special forecasts to inform of significant changes in a tropical cyclone, or to post or

cancel watches and warnings.

3.2.7. Tropical Cyclone Position Estimates. The hurricane centers and WFO Guam may

issue a position estimate between 2-hourly intermediate public advisories whenever sufficient,

reliable radar center fix information is available. Position estimates disseminated to the public,

DOD, and other Federal agencies will provide geographical positions in two ways: by latitude and

longitude and by distance and direction from a well-known point.
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3.2.8. Special Tropical Disturbance Statement. Special tropical disturbance statements

may be issued to furnish information on strong formative, non-depression systems.

3.2.9. HPC Public Advisories (TCP). The National Centers for Environmental Prediction’s

Hydrological Prediction Center (HPC) will issue public advisories after TPC/NHC discontinues its

on subtropical and tropical cyclones that have moved inland in the United States or Mexico, but still

pose a threat of heavy rain and flash floods in the conterminous United States or Mexico. The last

NHC advisory will normally be issued when winds in an inland tropical cyclone drop below tropical

storm strength, and the tropical depression is not forecast to regain tropical storm intensity or reemerge over water. The TCP is an alphanumeric product, and advisories are issued at 0300, 0900,

1500, and 2100 UTC. TCPs will continue to be numbered in sequence with tropical cyclone

advisories by TPC/NHC and will reference the former storm’s name in the text. Content will refer

to the decaying system’s position, intensity, general forecast trends, highlight impacts which

occurred and are expected to occur (usually in relation to heavy rain/flooding and tornadoes), and

indicate when the next summary will be issued. Advisories will terminate when the threat of flash

flooding has ended or when the remnants of these storms can no longer be distinguished from other

synoptic features capable of producing flash floods.

WTNT3i KWNH DDHHMM

TCPATc 

PUBLIC ADVISORY NUMBER XX FOR (TROPICAL CYCLONE TYPE) (NAME)

NWS HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL PREDICTION CENTER CAMP SPRINGS MD

time am/pm time_zone day mon DD YYYY

TEXT

$$

Figure 3-1. HPC Public Advisory Product Format

3.2.10. Tropical Disturbance Rainfall Estimates. As required, the TPC/NHC/CPHC will

issue satellite-based rainfall estimates for tropical disturbances and tropical cyclones within 36 hours

of forecasted landfall.

3.2.11. Tropical Weather Summary (Monthly). NHC and CPHC will prepare and issue

these products each month during the hurricane season. The product will summarize the previous

month’s tropical cyclone activity. The last product issued at the end of the hurricane season will

summarize November’s activity plus the activity for the whole season.

3.2.12. Tropical Cyclone Summary - Fixes. CPHC will issue these products when a tropical

cyclone is classifiable using the Dvorak technique. Fixes will be issued for the north central Pacific

from 140°W to 180° and for the south central Pacific from 120°W to 160°E. After the initial tropical
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cyclone fix, succeeding fixes will be done at approximately 0000, 0600, 1200, and 1800 UTC as

long as the system is classifiable using the Dvorak technique.

3.2.13. Tropical Cyclone Danger Area Graphic. The Tropical Cyclone Danger Area is a

graphical marine product depicting a tropical cyclone’s track (out to 72 hours) and shades in a

danger area determined by adding 100, 200, and 300 nautical miles plus the 34-knot wind radii to

the 24-, 48-, and 72- hour forecast position respectively in the Atlantic and east Pacific. For the

central Pacific, the shaded danger area will vary in width dependent upon the hurricane specialist’s

confidence in the track and the length of the 34-knot wind radii. In addition, areas of possible

tropical cyclone genesis (out to 36 hours) are included and depicted as either a circular, rectangle,

oval, or polygon shaped area. The product is prepared by the TPC and covers the entire Atlantic

north of the equator and the Pacific north of the equator from the Mexican and Central America

coast west to 140°W. CPHC prepares a separate chart for 140°W to the International Dateline north

of the equator. The product is disseminated four times per day during the hurricane season within

1 hour after the advisory package issuance. This would be at 0400, 1000, 1600 and 2200 UTC.

3.2.14 Aviation Tropical Cyclone Advisory (TCA). The TCA is intended to provide shortterm tropical cyclone forecast guidance for international aviation safety and routing purposes. The

product is prepared by TPC/NHC and CPHC for all ongoing tropical cyclone activity in their

respective areas of responsibility. This requirement is stated in the World Meteorological

Organization Region IV hurricane plan. TCAs list the current TC position, motion and intensity,

and 12- and 24-hour forecast positions and intensities. It is an alphanumeric text product produced

by hurricane forecasters and consists of information extracted from the official forecasts. This

forecast is produced from subjective evaluation of current meteorological and oceanographic data

as well as output from numerical weather prediction models, and is coordinated with affected WFOs,

the National Centers, and the Department of Defense. It is prepared four times daily and issued at

0300, 0900, 1500, and 2100 UTC.

FKaa2i CCCC DDHHMM

TCAxxx 

(TROPICAL CYCLONE TYPE) ICAO ADVISORY NUMBER ##

ISSUING OFFICE CITY STATE 

time am/pm time_zone day mon DD YYYY

TEXT

$$

Figure 3-2. Aviation Tropical Cyclone Advisory Format
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3.3. Designation of Tropical and Subtropical Cyclones.

3.3.1. Numbering of Tropical and Subtropical Depressions. The hurricane centers are

responsible for numbering tropical and subtropical depressions in their areas of responsibility.

Tropical depressions shall be numbered consecutively beginning each season with the spelled out

number "ONE." For ease in differentiation, tropical depression numbers shall include the suffix "E"

for Eastern Pacific, "C" for Central Pacific, or "W" for Western Pacific, after the number. In both

the Atlantic and Pacific, once the depression has reached tropical storm intensity, it shall be named

and the depression number dropped. The depression number will not be used again until the

following year. Give tropical cyclones a name in the first advisory after intensifying to 34 knots

(39 mph) or greater.

The following rules apply for tropical cyclones passing from one basin to another: Retain the

name if a tropical cyclone passes from one basin into another basin as a tropical cyclone; i.e.,

advisories are continuous. An unnamed tropical depression will also retain its number (e.g. Tropical

Depression Six-E remains Tropical Depression Six-E) if it crosses into another area of

responsibility. For unnamed tropical depressions moving from west to east across 180°, CPHC will

use the same number as previously assigned by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center

(RSMC) Tokyo. Additionally, CPHC will provide the associated JTWC number, if different, in

parentheses.

Within a basin, if the remnant of a tropical cyclone redevelops into a tropical cyclone, it is

assigned its original number or name. If the remnants of a former tropical cyclone regenerate in a

new basin, the regenerated tropical cyclone will be given a new designation. 

3.3.1.1. Atlantic Basin. Depression numbers, ONE, TWO, THREE, will be

assigned by the TPC/NHC after advising the Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Center

(NAVLANTMETOCCEN) Norfolk.

3.3.1.2. Pacific East of 140°W. Depression numbers, with the suffix E, e.g.,

ONE-E, TWO-E, THREE-E, will be assigned by the TPC/NHC after advising JTWC, Pearl Harbor,

HI. The assigned identifier shall be retained even if the depression passes into another warning area.

3.3.1.3. Pacific West of 140°W and East of 180°. Depression numbers, with suffix

C; e.g., ONE-C, TWO-C, THREE-C, will be assigned by the CPHC after advising JTWC. 

3.3.1.4. Pacific West of 180° and North of 0°. Depression numbers, with suffix W;

e.g., ONE-W, TWO-W, THREE-W, are assigned by JTWC.

3.3.1.5. Subtropical Depressions. A single list of numbers and names will be used

for all tropical and subtropical cyclones. Therefore, numbering of subtropical depressions will

follow the same procedure as tropical depressions. For example, if the first subtropical depression

follows the first tropical depression, the subtropical depression will be given the designation

SUBTROPICAL DEPRESSION TWO. If a subtropical depression becomes a subtropical storm,

it receives the next available name in the tropical cyclone naming sequence.
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3.3.2. Numbering and Naming of Tropical and Subtropical Cyclones.

3.3.2.1 Numbering and Naming Tropical Cyclones. Tropical cyclone centers will

number tropical depressions in their areas of responsibility. Number tropical depressions

consecutively beginning each season with the spelled out number “ONE.” In the north Pacific, for

ease in differentiation, tropical depression numbers, assigned by NHC or CPHC, will include the

suffix “E” for eastern (east of 140° west longitude) or “C,” for central (180° to 140° west longitude)

respectively, after the number. In both the Atlantic and Pacific, once the depression reaches tropical

storm intensity, name it and drop the depression number. The depression number will not be used

again until the following year. Give tropical cyclones a name in the first advisory after intensifying

to 34 knots (39 mph) or greater.

The following rules apply for tropical cyclones passing from one basin to another: Retain the

name if a tropical cyclone passes from one basin into another basin as a tropical cyclone, i.e.

advisories are continuous. An unnamed tropical depression will also retain its number (e.g. Tropical

Depression Six-E remains Tropical Depression Six-E) if it crosses into another area of

responsibility. For unnamed tropical depressions moving from west to east across 180°, CPHC will

use the same number as previously assigned by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center

(RSMC) Tokyo. Additionally, CPHC will provide the associated Joint Typhoon Warning Center

(JTWC) number, if different, in parentheses. 

Within a basin, if the remnant of a tropical cyclone redevelops into a tropical cyclone, it is

assigned its original number or name. If the remnants of a former tropical cyclone regenerate in a

new basin, the regenerated tropical cyclone will be given a new designation. 

3.3.2.2 Numbering and Naming Subtropical Storms. A single list of numbers and

names will be used for all tropical and subtropical cyclones. Therefore, numbering of subtropical

depressions will follow the same procedure as tropical depressions. For example, if the first

subtropical depression follows the first tropical depression, the subtropical depression will be given

the designation SUBTROPICAL DEPRESSION TWO. If a subtropical depression becomes a

subtropical storm, it receives the next available name in the tropical cyclone naming sequence. 

3.3.2.3. Numbering Advisories and Tropical/Subtropical Cyclone Discussions.

Number tropical and subtropical cyclone advisories and discussions in the Atlantic and the Pacific

similarly. Number scheduled and special advisories and TCDs consecutively beginning with the

number 1 (not spelled out) for each new tropical or subtropical cyclone, and continue through the

duration of the cyclone. In situations where only TCMs and TCDs are being written (tropical

cyclones in the eastern Pacific not threatening land) and at a later time a public advisory is required,

the public advisory number will match the corresponding TCM. In both the Atlantic and the Pacific,

intermediate advisories and TCDs will retain the advisory number of the scheduled or special

advisory they update and append an alphabetic designator (e.g., “HURRICANE ALLISON

INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 20A”).
3-8

3.4. Transfer of Warning Responsibility.

3.4.1. TPC/NHC to CPHC. When a tropical or subtropical cyclone approaches 140°W, the

coordinated transfer of warning responsibility from TPC/NHC to CPHC will be made and the

appropriate advisory issued.

3.4.2. CPHC to JTWC/(RSMC, Tokyo). When a tropical or subtropical cyclone crosses

180°from east to west, the coordinated transfer of warning responsibility from CPHC to JTWC will

be made and the appropriate advisory issued. At the same time, the CPHC will coordinate with the

RSMC, Tokyo so that they are aware that CPHC will be suspending the issuance of advisories.

3.4.3. JTWC/(RSMC, Tokyo) to CPHC. When a tropical or subtropical cyclone crosses

180° from west to east, the coordinated transfer of warning responsibility from JTWC to CPHC will

be made. JTWC will append the statement, "Next advisory by CPHC-HNL" to their last advisory.

At the same time, the CPHC will coordinate with RSMC, Tokyo so that they are aware that CPHC

will be assuming the issuance of advisories.

3.5. Alternate Warning Responsibilities. 

3.5.1. Transfer to Alternate. In the event of impending or actual operational failure of a

hurricane forecast center, tropical warning responsibilities will be transferred to an alternate facility

in accordance with existing directives and retained there until resumption of responsibility can be

made. Alternate facilities are as follows: 

PRIMARY ALTERNATE

TPC/NHC National Centers for Environmental Prediction

Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC)

Camp Springs, MD

CPHC TPC/NHC

CARCAH 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (53 WRS)

JTWC Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center

(FLENUMETOCCEN), Monterey, CA

NWSO Tiyan, Guam CPHC

3.5.2. Notification. The NAVLANTMETOCCEN, Norfolk, and JTWC, Pearl Harbor, will

be advised by TPC/NHC, CARCAH, and CPHC, as appropriate, of impending or actual transfer of

responsibility by the most rapid means available. JTWC will advise CPHC and TPC/NHC of

impending or actual transfer of JTWC responsibilities. In the event of an operational failure of

CARCAH, direct communication is authorized between the 53 WRS and the forecast facility.

Contact 53 WRS at DSN 597-2409/COM 601-377-2409 or through the Keesler AFB Command Post

at DSN 597-4330/COM 601-377-4330 (ask for the 53 WRS).
3-9

Table 3-1. Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Names

2004

ALEX

BONNIE

CHARLEY

DANIELLE dan-YELL

EARL

FRANCES

GASTON

HERMINE her-MEEN

IVAN eye-van

JEANNE JEEN

KARL

LISA LEE-sa

MATTHEW

NICOLE ni-COLE

OTTO

PAULA

RICHARD RICH-erd

SHARY SHA-ree

TOMAS to-MAS

VIRGINIE vir-JIN-ee

WALTER

2005

ARLENE

BRET

CINDY

DENNIS

EMILY

FRANKLIN

GERT

HARVEY

IRENE

JOSE ho-ZAY

KATRINA ka-TREE-na

LEE

MARIA ma-REE-ah

NATE

OPHELIA o-FEEL-ya

PHILIPPE fe-leep

RITA

STAN

TAMMY

VINCE

WILMA

2006

ALBERTO al-BAIR-toe

BERYL BER-ril

CHRIS

DEBBY

ERNESTO er-NES-toe

FLORENCE

GORDON

HELENE he-LEEN

ISAAC EYE-zak

JOYCE

KIRK

LESLIE

MICHAEL MIKE-el

NADINE nay-DEEN

OSCAR

PATTY

RAFAEL ra-fa-EL

SANDY

TONY

VALERIE

WILLIAM

2007

ANDREA

BARRY

CHANTAL shan-TAHL

DEAN

ERIN AIR-in

FELIX FEEL-ix

GABRIELLE ga-bree-EL

HUMBERTO oom-BAIR-to

INGRID

JERRY

KAREN

LORENZO

MELISSA

NOEL

OLGA

PABLO PA-blow

REBEKAH

SEBASTIEN say-BAS-tyan

TANYA TAHN-ya

VAN

WENDY

2008

ARTHUR

BERTHA BUR-tha

CRISTOBAL

DOLLY

EDOUARD eh-DWARD

FAY

GUSTAV

HANNA

IKE

JOSEPHINE JO-ze-feen

KYLE

LAURA

MARCO

NANA

OMAR

PALOMA pa-LOW-ma

RENE re-NAY

SALLY

TEDDY

VICKY

WILFRED

2009

ANA

BILL

CLAUDETTE claw-DET 

DANNY

ERIKA ERR-ree-ka

FRED

GRACE

HENRI ahn-REE

IDA

JOAQUIN

KATE

LARRY 

MINDY

NICHOLAS NIK-o-las

ODETTE o-DET

PETER

ROSE

SAM

TERESA te-REE-sa

VICTOR VIC-ter

WANDA

If over 21 tropical cyclones occur in a year, the Greek alphabet will be used following the W-named

cyclone. Laura replaces Lili for 2008. Fred replaces Fabian, Ida replaces Isabel, and Joaquin

replaces Juan for 2009.
3-10

Table 3-2. Eastern Pacific Tropical Cyclone Names

2004

AGATHA

BLAS

CELIA

DARBY

ESTELLE

FRANK

GEORGETTE

HOWARD

ISIS

JAVIER

KAY

LESTER

MADELINE

NEWTON

ORLENE

PAINE

ROSLYN

SEYMOUR

TINA

VIRGIL

WINIFRED

XAVIER

YOLANDA yo LAHN da

ZEKE

2005

ADRIAN

BEATRIZ BEE a triz

CALVIN

DORA

EUGENE

FERNANDA fer NAN dah

GREG

HILARY

IRWIN

JOVA Ho vah

KENNETH

LIDIA

MAX

NORMA

OTIS

PILAR

RAMON rah MONE

SELMA

TODD

VERONICA

WILEY

XINA ZEE nah

YORK

ZELDA ZEL dah

2006

ALETTA a LET ah

BUD

CARLOTTA

DANIEL

EMILIA ee MILL ya

FABIO FAH bee o

GILMA GIL mah

HECTOR

ILEANA ill ay AH nah

JOHN

KRISTY

LANE

MIRIAM

NORMAN

OLIVIA

PAUL

ROSA

SERGIO SIR gee oh

TARA

VICENTE vee CEN tay

WILLA

XAVIER ZAY vier

YOLANDA yo LAHN da

ZEKE

2007

ALVIN

BARBARA

COSME COS may

DALILA

ERICK

FLOSSIE

GIL

HENRIETTE hen ree ETT

IVO

JULIETTE

KIKO KEE ko

LORENA low RAY na

MANUEL mahn WELL

NARDA

OCTAVE AHK tave

PRISCILLA

RAYMOND

SONIA SONE yah

TICO TEE koh

VELMA

WALLIS

XINA ZEE nah

YORK

ZELDA ZEL dah

2008

ALMA AL mah

BORIS

CRISTINA

DOUGLAS

ELIDA ELL ee dah

FAUSTO FOW sto

GENEVIEVE

HERNAN her NAHN

ISELLE ee SELL

JULIO HOO lee o

KARINA

LOWELL

MARIE

NORBERT

ODILE oh DEAL

POLO

RACHEL

SIMON

TRUDY

VANCE

WINNIE

XAVIER ZAY vier 

YOLANDA yo LAHN da

ZEKE

2009

ANDRES ahn DRASE

BLANCA BLAHN kah

CARLOS

DOLORES

ENRIQUE anh REE kay

FELICIA fa LEE sha

GUILLERMO gee YER mo

HILDA

IGNACIO eeg NAH cio

JIMENA he MAY na

KEVIN

LINDA

MARTY

NORA

OLAF OH lahf

PATRICIA

RICK

SANDRA

TERRY

VIVIAN

WALDO

XINA ZEE nah

YORK

ZELDA ZEL dah
3-11

Table 3-3. Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Names

COLUMN 1 COLUMN 2

Name Pronunciation Name Pronunciation

AKONI ah-KOH-nee AKA AH-kah

EMA EH-mah EKEKA eh-KEH-kak

HANA HAH-nah HALI HAH-lee

IO EE-oo IOLANA ee-OH-lah-nah

KELI KEH-lee KEONI keh-ON-nee

LALA LAH-lah LI LEE

MOKE MOH-keh MELE MEH-leh

NELE NEH-leh NONA NOH-nah

OKA OH-kah OLIWA oh-LEE-vah

PEKE PEH-keh PAKA PAH-kah

ULEKI oo-LEH-kee UPANA oo-PAH-nah

WILA VEE-lah WENE WEH-neh

 COLUMN 3 COLUMN 4

Name Pronunciation Name Pronunciation

ALIKA ah-LEE-kah ANA AH-nah

ELE EH-leh ELA EH-lah

HUKO HOO-koh HALOLA hah-LOH-lah

IOKE ee-OH-keh IUNE ee-OO-neh

KIKA KEE-kah KIMO KEE-moh

LANA LAH-nah LOKE LOH-keh

MAKA MAH-kah MALIA mah-LEE-ah

NEKI NEH-kee NIALA nee-AH-lah

OLEKA oh-LEH-kah OKO OH-koh

PENI PEH-nee PALI PAH-lee

ULIA oo-LEE-ah ULIKA oo-LEE-kah

WALI WAH-lee WALAKA wah-LAH-kah

NOTE: Use Column 1 list of names until exhausted before going to Column 2, etc. All

 letters in the Hawaiian language are pronounced, including double or triple vowels.
3-12

Table 3-4. International Tropical Cyclone Names

 for the Western Pacific and South China Sea 

I II III IV V

Contributor NAME NAME NAME NAME NAME

Cambodia Damrey Kong-rey Nakri Krovanh Sarika

China Longwang Yutu Fengshen Dujuan Haima

DPR Korea Kirogi Toraji Kalmaegi Maemi Meari

HK, China Kai-tak Man-yi Fung-wong Choi-wan Ma-on

Japan Tembin Usagi Kammuri Koppu Tokage

Lao PDR Bolaven Pabuk Phanefone Ketsana Nock-ten

Macau Chanchu Wutip Vongfong Parma Muifa

Malaysia Jelawat Sepat Nuri Melor Merbok

Micronesia Ewiniar Fitow Sinlaku Nepartak Nanmadol

Philippines Bilis Danas Hagupit Lupit Talas

RO Korea Kaemi Nari Changmi Sudal Noru

Thailand Prapiroon Wipha Mekkhala Nida Kulap

U.S.A. Maria Francisco Higos Omais Roke

Viet Nam Saomai Lekima Bavi Conson Sonca

Cambodia Bopha Krosa Maysak Chanthu Nesat

China Wukong Haiyan Haishen Dianmu Haitang

DPR Korea Sonamu Podul Pongsona Mindulle Nalgae

HK, China Shanshan Lingling Yanyan Tingting Banyan

Japan Yagi Kajiki Kujira Kompasu Washi

Lao PDR Xangsane Faxai Chan-hom Namtheun Matsa

Macau Bebinca Peipah Linfa Malou Sanvu

Malaysia Rumbia Tapah Nangka Meranti Mawar

Micronesia Soulik Mitag Sondelor Rananim Guchol

Philippines Cimaron Hagibis Molave Malakas Talim

RO Korea Chebi Noguri Koni Megi Nabi

Thailand Durian Rammasun Morakot Chaba Khanun

U.S.A. Utor Matmo Etau Aere Vicente

Viet Nam Trami Halong Vamco Songda Saola

NOTE: The official international name list was effective January 1, 2000. Names will be assigned in rotation starting with

Damrey for the first tropical cyclone of the year 2000 which is of tropical storm strength or greater. When the last name in

column 5 (Saola) is used, the sequence will begin again with the first name in column 1 (Damrey).
3-13

3.6. Abbreviated Communications Headings. Abbreviated communications headings are

assigned to advisories on tropical and subtropical cyclones and other advisories based on depression

numbers or storm name and standard communications procedures. An abbreviated heading consists

of three groups with ONE space between each of the groups. The first group contains a data type

indicator (e.g., WT for hurricane), a geographical indicator (e.g. NT for Atlantic Basin), and a

number. The second group contains a location identifier of the message originator (e.g., KNHC for

TPC/NHC). The third group is a date-time group in UTC. An example of a complete header is:

WTNT61 KNHC 180400.

3.6.1. Atlantic Headings (see paragraph 3.6.3 also).

ABNT20 KNHC Tropical Weather Outlook

ABNT30 KNHC Tropical Weather Summary (monthly)

WTNT61 KNHC Tropical Cyclone Update

WTNT51 KNHC Tropical Cyclone Position Estimate

WONT41 KNHC Special Tropical Disturbance Statement

FXUS01 KWBC 1-2 Day Discussion

FXUS02 KWBC 3-7 Day Discussion

FXUS04 KWBC Precipitation Discussion

3.6.2. Pacific Headings (see paragraph 3.6.3 also).

ABPZ20 KNHC Tropical Weather Outlook (Eastern Pacific)

ABPZ30 KNHC Tropical Weather Summary (monthly)

ACPN50 PHFO Tropical Weather Outlook (Central Pacific)

ACPN60 PHFO Tropical Weather Summary (monthly)

TXPN40 PHFO Northern Hemisphere Tropical Cyclone Summary (Fixes)

TXPS40 PHFO Southern Hemisphere Tropical Cyclone Summary (Fixes)

WTPZ51 KNHC Tropical Cyclone Position Estimate (Eastern Pacific)

WTPA50 PHFO Tropical Cyclone Position Estimate (Central Pacific)

WTPZ61 KNHC Tropical Cyclone Update (Eastern Pacific)

WTPA60 PHFO Tropical Cyclone Update (Central Pacific)

WOPZ41 KNHC Special Tropical Disturbance Statement (Eastern Pacific)

ACPA80 PHFO Special Tropical Disturbance Statement (Central Pacific)

3.6.3. Numbering. Depressions are numbered internally and storms are named internally,

but the number in the abbreviated headings does not relate to either the internal number of the

depression or the name of the storm. The first cyclone would have 21 and 31 in the abbreviated

headings, the second cyclone would have 22 and 32, the sixth cyclone would have 21 and 31, etc.

The abbreviated heading would not change when a depression was upgraded to storm status.

WTNT21-25 KNHC Tropical Cyclone Forecast/Advisory (Atlantic)

WTNT31-35 KWNH HPC Public Advisory (Atlantic)
3-14

WTNT41-45 KNHC Tropical Cyclone Discussion (Atlantic)

WTNT71-75 KNHC Tropical Cyclone Strike Probabilities (Atlantic)

WTPZ 21-25 KNHC Tropical Cyclone Forecast/Advisory (Eastern Pacific)

WTPZ 31-35 KNHC Tropical Cyclone Public Advisory (Eastern Pacific)

WTPZ41-45 KNHC Tropical Cyclone Discussion (Eastern Pacific)

WTPA21-25 PHFO Tropical Cyclone Forecast/Advisory (Central Pacific)

WTPA31-35 PHFO Tropical Cyclone Public Advisory (Central Pacific)

WTPA41-45 PHFO Tropical Cyclone Discussion (Central Pacific)

WTPQ31-35 PGUM Tropical Cyclone Public Advisory (Western Pacific)

3.7. Hurricane Liaison Team (HLT).

3.7.1. National Weather Service (NWS) Responsibilities. The NWS supports the HLT

through use of Tropical Prediction Center (TPC) meteorologists, Weather Forecast Office (WFO)

personnel (typically warning coordination meteorologists and service hydrologists), and River

Forecast Center (RFC) hydrologists. Eastern and Southern Region Headquarters will maintain a list

of their available HLT candidates. 

After HLT deactivation, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC) will assume the

briefing duties provided the remnants of the tropical cyclone remain a threat to inland areas. TPC

and HPC will coordinate prior to the transfer. During the inland event HPC will coordinate with the

appropriate WFOs and RFCs and when needed, hydrologists from the RFCs will provide

hydrological briefings.

3.7.2. Activation. The HLT may be activated when a tropical cyclone in the Atlantic, Gulf

of Mexico, Caribbean or eastern Pacific threatens the United States or its territories, and the Director

or Deputy Director of TPC deems HLT assistance is required. TPC makes the request for activation

by contacting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Operations Center (FOC).

Upon FEMA’s approval, the FOC will activate the HLT. The TPC Director or Deputy Director will

contact the appropriate NWS Regional Director requesting meteorologic and/or hydrologic support.

NWS personnel should arrive at TPC within 24 hours. The HLT will remain active until the

hurricane threat has passed, at which time HLT operations will be terminated by FEMA. However,

if the storm moves inland and if significant rainfall is expected, the HLT may remain activated. 

If the HLT is deactivated, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC) will assume the

briefing duties provided the remnants of the tropical cyclone remain a threat to inland areas. TPC

and HPC will coordinate prior to the transfer. During the inland event, HPC will coordinate with

the appropriate WFOs and RFCs and, when needed, hydrologists from the RFCs will provide

hydrological briefings.

3.7.3. Training. Completing NWS/FEMA’s distance learning training module, Community

Hurricane Preparedness, is required by HLT members. The module can be taken via the Internet

at: http://meted.ucar.edu/hurrican/chp/index.htm. Other training opportunities are strongly
3-15

encouraged. They are: FEMA’s “Introduction to Hurricane Preparedness” conducted at TPC for

emergency mangers and NWS personnel, and FEMA’s annual HLT training session held at TPC.

3.7.4. Meteorologic Duties. The HLT meteorologist will:

• Establish and maintain contact with the impacted WFOs, RFCs, and the HPC.

• Facilitate participation of the impacted NWS offices in conference calls,

briefings, and in preparation and distribution of graphics.

• Provide meteorological interpretations on National Hurricane Center

advisories (NHC), WFO hurricane local statements, HURREVAC products,

and storm surge forecasts for federal, state and local agencies on request.

• Provide storm briefings via video/audio teleconferences for federal, state and

local organizations.

• Respond to meteorology-related incoming calls from federal, state, and local

emergency managers, and as appropriate, refer meteorologic inquires to the local

WFO.

3.7.5. Hydrologic Duties. The HLT hydrologist will:

• Establish and maintain contact with the impacted local WFOs, RFCs, and the

HPC.

• Facilitate participation of the impacted NWS offices in conference calls,

briefings, and in preparation and distribution of graphics.

• Provide hydrologic interpretation on NHC advisories, WFO hurricane local

statements, and WFO and RFC hydrologic products for federal, state and local

agencies on request.

• Provide technical support for RFC lead during hydrologic portion of video

teleconference. In absence of the RFC, lead the hydrologic portion of the video

teleconference.

• Respond to hydrology-related incoming calls from federal, state, and local

emergency managers and as appropriate, refer hydrologic inquires to the local

WFO.
4-1

CHAPTER 4

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

PRODUCTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

4.1. General. The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Commerce (DOC)

weather forecasting, reconnaissance, and distribution agencies share technical information and some

responsibilities. Mutually supportive relationships have developed over the years and have resulted

in a mutual dependency. Due to the nature and distribution of DOD resources and operations, the

DOD requires certain meteorological information beyond that available to the general public.

Accordingly, the DOC provides DOD with special observations and advisories on tropical and

subtropical storms threatening DOD resources or operations.

4.2. Observations. The Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center (TPC/NHC) and

Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) will make available to DOD all significant tropical and

subtropical cyclone observations that they receive.

4.3. Tropical Cyclone Forecast/Advisories.

4.3.1. General. The TPC/NHC and CPHC will provide to DOD forecasts and related

information for tropical and subtropical weather disturbances of depression intensity or greater.

Forecasts will include location, movement, intensity, and dimension of the disturbances. Tropical

cyclone forecast/advisories will be disseminated through the National Weather Service (NWS)

communications facility at Suitland, MD, to the Automated Weather Network (AWN) hub at the Air

Force Weather Agency, Offutt AFB, NE, for further relay to DOD agencies. The DOD forecasters,

who must give advice concerning an imminent operational decision, may contact the appropriate

hurricane center forecaster (see Chapter 2) when published tropical cyclone forecast/advisories

require elaboration. Telephone numbers for the hurricane centers are in Appendix I.

4.3.2. Tropical Cyclone Forecast/Advisory Issue Frequency. The first tropical cyclone

forecast/advisory will normally be issued when meteorological data indicate that a tropical or

subtropical cyclone has formed. Subsequent advisories will be issued at 0300, 0900, 1500, and 2100

UTC from TPC/NHC and CPHC. The public advisories issued by the NWS Forecast Office

(NWSO) Tiyan, Guam, are issued 1 hour after the JTWC guidance. Advisories will continue to be

issued until the system is classified below the depression intensity level. In addition, special

forecasts will be issued whenever the following criteria are met:

& A significant change has occurred, requiring the issuance of a revised forecast

package.

& Conditions require a hurricane or tropical storm watch or warning to be issued.
4-2

Remarks stating the reason for the special forecast or the relocation will be mandatory in all special

forecasts or advisories that include a relocated position.

[NOTE: Tropical cyclone updates are permitted without the requirement of a special forecast,

including when coastal warnings are cancelled. However, in some cases, a special forecast may

follow.]

4.3.3. Tropical Cyclone Forecast/Advisory Content. Tropical cyclone forecast/advisories

issued by the TPC/NHC and CPHC will contain appropriate information as shown in Figure 4-1.

The forecast will contain 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, and 120-hour forecast positions. A code string is

appended at the end of the line "NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL." This is the

Automated Tropical Cyclone Forecasting (ATCF) System Storm Identification Character String

recognized by the WMO for tracking and verification of tropical cyclones. The ATCF storm

identifier is three spaces after "FL" and uses the format below.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL BSNOYR

where: BS is the basin (AL, EP, or CP)

NO is the storm number (01, 02, 03,...99)

YR is the last two digits of the year.

Tropical cyclone public advisories issued by the NWS Forecast Office, Tiyan, Guam, will

contain appropriate information as shown in Figure 4-2.

4.3.3.1. Definition of Wind Radii by Quadrant. The working definition of the

wind radius for a quadrant is: use the largest radius of that wind speed found in the quadrant.

Example: TPC/NHC's quadrants are defined as NE (0°-90°), SE (90°-180°), SW (180°-270°), and

NW (270°-360°). Given a maximum 34-knot radius of 150 nm at 0°, 90 nm at 120°, and 40 nm at

260°, the following line would be carried in the forecast/advisory: 150NE 90SE 40SW 150NW.

4.3.3.2 Numbering of Tropical Cyclone Forecast/Advisories. All tropical cyclone

forecast/advisories will be numbered sequentially; for example,

Tropical Depression ONE Forecast/Advisory Number 1

Tropical Depression ONE Forecast/Advisory Number 2

Tropical Storm Anita Forecast/Advisory Number 3

Hurricane (Typhoon) Anita Forecast/Advisory Number 4

Tropical Depression Anita Forecast/Advisory Number 5
4-3

WTNT25 KNHC 230300

TCMAT5

HURRICANE ISIDORE FORECAST/ADVISORY NUMBER 28

NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL1002

0300Z MON SEP 23 2002

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT ALONG THE GULF OF MEXICO AND

CARIBBEAN COASTS OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA FROM CAMPECHE NORTH AND

EASTWARD TO TULUM...INCLUDING THE ISLAND OF COZUMEL.

HURRICANE CENTER LOCATED NEAR 20.8N 89.5W AT 23/0300Z

POSITION ACCURATE WITHIN 20 NM

PRESENT MOVEMENT TOWARD THE SOUTHWEST OR 220 DEGREES AT 4 KT

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE 950 MB

MAX SUSTAINED WINDS 90 KT WITH GUSTS TO 110 KT.

64 KT....... 45NE 25SE 25SW 45NW.

50 KT....... 75NE 50SE 50SW 75NW.

34 KT.......200NE 130SE 100SW 150NW.

12 FT SEAS..300NE 200SE 150SW 300NW.

WINDS AND SEAS VARY GREATLY IN EACH QUADRANT. RADII IN NAUTICAL

MILES ARE THE LARGEST RADII EXPECTED ANYWHERE IN THAT QUADRANT.

REPEAT...CENTER LOCATED NEAR 20.8N 89.5W AT 23/0300Z

AT 23/0000Z CENTER WAS LOCATED NEAR 21.0N 89.4W

FORECAST VALID 23/1200Z 20.7N 90.3W

MAX WIND 80 KT...GUSTS 100 KT.

64 KT... 40NE 20SE 25SW 40NW.

50 KT... 60NE 40SE 40SW 60NW.

34 KT...180NE 60SE 60SW 150NW.

FORECAST VALID 24/0000Z 21.0N 91.0W

MAX WIND 95 KT...GUSTS 115 KT.

64 KT... 45NE 25SE 25SW 45NW.

50 KT... 75NE 50SE 50SW 75NW.

34 KT...200NE 150SE 100SW 150NW.

FORECAST VALID 24/1200Z 21.8N 92.0W

MAX WIND 115 KT...GUSTS 140 KT.

64 KT... 60NE 45SE 45SW 60NW.

50 KT...100NE 75SE 75SW 100NW.

34 KT...200NE 150SE 125SW 180NW.

FORECAST VALID 25/0000Z 22.8N 92.5W

MAX WIND 125 KT...GUSTS 155 KT.

50 KT...100NE 100SE 75SW 100NW.

34 KT...200NE 200SE 150SW 200NW.

FORECAST VALID 26/0000Z 25.0N 93.0W

MAX WIND 125 KT...GUSTS 155 KT.

50 KT...100NE 100SE 75SW 100NW.

34 KT...200NE 200SE 150SW 200NW.

EXTENDED OUTLOOK. NOTE...ERRORS FOR TRACK HAVE AVERAGED NEAR 275 NM

ON DAY 4 AND 375 NM ON DAY 5...AND FOR INTENSITY NEAR 20 KT EACH DAY

OUTLOOK VALID 27/0000Z 22.8N 92.5W

MAX WIND 100 KT...GUSTS 120 KT.

OUTLOOK VALID 28/0000Z 25.0N 93.0W

MAX WIND 90 KT...GUSTS 110 KT.

REQUEST FOR 3 HOURLY SHIP REPORTS WITHIN 300 MILES OF 20.8N 89.5W

NEXT ADVISORY AT 23/0900Z

FORECASTER PASCH

$$

NNNN

Figure 4-1. Tropical cyclone forecast/advisory format
4-4

WTPQ31 PGUM 011600

BULLETIN

SUPER TYPHOON STORMY ADVISORY NUMBER 14

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE TIYAN GU

2AM LST MON NOV 02 1998

...STORMY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO A SUPER TYPHOON...

TYPHOON WARNINGS REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR GUAM...ROTA...TINIAN AND SAIPAN IN THE

MARIANA ISLANDS.

AT 1AM...1500Z...THE CENTER OF SUPER TYPHOON STORMY WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE

13.0 DEGREES NORTH AND LONGITUDE 149.2 DEGREES EAST...OR ABOUT 300 MILES EAST OF

GUAM.

STORMY IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST AT 15 MPH... AND IS EXPECTED TO

CONTINUE MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON ITS PRESENT

COURSE TYPHOON CONDITIONS WILL BEGIN TO AFFECT THE MARIANAS AROUND NOON

TODAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE 150 MPH...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. TYPHOON FORCE WINDS

EXTEND OUTWARD 60 MILES FROM THE CENTER AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS

EXTEND OUTWARD 150 MILES FROM THE CENTER.

EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SURF IN EXCESS OF 20 FEET AND TORRENTIAL RAINS OF 7 TO 9

INCHES ARE EXPECTED AS STORMY MOVES THROUGH THE MARIANAS TONIGHT. BEACH

EROSION AND FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS ARE LIKELY.

THIS IS A VERY POWERFUL TYPHOON AND IS A VERY SERIOUS THREAT TO THE MARIANAS. 

FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE ONSET OF DAMAGING WINDS...ESPECIALLY BY PEOPLE LIVING

ALONG THE COASTLINE AND IN POORLY DESIGNED STRUCTURES...SHOULD BE COMPLETED

IMMEDIATELY. RESIDENTS SHOULD SEEK SAFE SHELTER AND REMAIN INSIDE UNTIL THE ALLCLEAR IS GIVEN BY CIVIL DEFENSE OFFICIALS.

REPEATING THE 1 AM POSITION...13.0 NORTH LATITUDE AND 149.2 EAST LONGITUDE MOVING

WEST-NORTHWEST AT 15 MPH WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS OF 150 MPH.

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY IS SCHEDULED TO BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER

SERVICE AT 5AM GUAM LST...FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY ISSUED AT 8AM

LST.

NNNN

Figure 4-2. Tropical cyclone public advisory format
5-1

CHAPTER 5

AIRCRAFT RECONNAISSANCE

5.1. General. All Department of Commerce (DOC) tropical and subtropical cyclone aircraft

reconnaissance needs will be requested and provided in accordance with the procedures of this

chapter. As outlined in the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC)/National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Memorandum of Agreement (see Appendix F), DOC has

identified a requirement for, and the Department of Defense (DOD) maintains aircraft to support,

up to five sorties per day (see Figure 5-1). Requirements exceeding five sorties will be

accomplished on a "resources-permitting" basis. Congress has directed the DOD to fund an AFRC

flying hour program of 1600 hours in support of hurricane reconnaissance coverage. In times of

national emergency or war, some or all DOD reconnaissance resources may not be available to

fulfill DOC needs. The Global Decision Support System (GDSS) JCS Priority Code for tasked,

operational weather reconnaissance is 1A3 (IAW DOD Regulation 4500.9-R and Joint Publications

4-01 and 4-04). The Force Activity Designator (FAD)/Urgency of Need Designator (UND) Supply

Priority Designator Determination code is IIA2 (IAW Joint Publication 4-01 and Air Force Manual

23-110, Volume 2, Part 13, Attachment 3A-2.)

5.2. Responsibilities. The DOD, through the AFRC's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron

(53 WRS), and DOC, through NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center (AOC), operate a complementary

fleet of aircraft to conduct hurricane/tropical cyclone reconnaissance, synoptic surveillance, and

research missions. 

5.2.1. DOD. The DOD is responsible for:

• Providing operational aircraft for vortex fixes and data, synoptic surveillance

missions, and investigative flights in response to DOC needs.

• Developing operational procedures and deploying data buoys to satisfy DOC

needs.

5.2.2. DOC. The DOC is responsible for aircraft operations that may be requested to:

• Provide synoptic surveillance soundings (see Figure 5-2).

• Augment AFRC aircraft reconnaissance when DOC needs exceed the capabilities

of DOD resources (see Figure 5-3).

• Assume responsibility for hurricane reconnaissance over foreign airspace that

may be restricted for military operations.

• Conduct research flights.
5-2

Figure 5-1. WC-130 Weather Reconnaissance Aircraft

Figure 5-2. G-IV Weather Surveillance Aircraft
5-3

Figure 5-3. NOAA P-3 Weather Surveillance Aircraft

5.2.3 DOT. The DOT is responsible for providing air traffic control services to aircraft when

within airspace controlled by the FAA. This includes offshore oceanic airspace. To expedite the

handling of reconnaissance aircraft, paragraph 5.5.4, Air Traffic Control Procedures, has been

significantly revised to update and incorporate the procedures in the FAA/AFRC/NOAA Letter of

Agreement (LOA) entitled, Meteorological Reconnaissance Flights, found in Appendix F.

5.3. Control of Aircraft. Operational control of aircraft flying tropical and subtropical cyclone

reconnaissance will remain with the operating agencies which own the aircraft.

5.4. Reconnaissance Requirements.

5.4.1. Meteorological Parameters. Data needs in priority order are as follows:

• Geographical position of the flight level vortex center (vortex fix) and relative

position of the surface center, if known.

• Center sea-level pressure determined by dropsonde or extrapolation from within

1,500 ft of the sea surface or from the computed 925 hPa or 850 hPa height.
5-4

• Minimum 700, 850 or 925 hPa height, if available.

• Wind profile data for surface and flight level.

• Temperature at flight level.

• Sea-surface temperature.

• Dew-point temperature at flight level.

5.4.2. Accuracy.

5.4.2.1. Geographic Position.

• Aircraft position: within 3 nm.

• Storm surface center (wind/pressure): within 6 nm.

• Flight level storm center (wind/pressure): within 6 nm.

5.4.2.2. Wind Direction.

• Surface: within 10 deg.

• Flight level for winds greater than 20 kt: within 5 deg.

5.4.2.3. Wind Speed.

• Surface: within 10 kt.

• Flight level: within 4 kt.

5.4.2.4. Pressure Height.

• Surface: within 2 hPa.

• Flight level at or below 500 hPa: within 10 m.

• Flight level above 500 hPa: within 20 m.

5.4.2.5. Temperature.

• Sea surface: within l°C.

• Flight level: within l°C.

5.4.2.6. Dew-Point Temperature.

• From -20°C to +40°C: within l°C.

• Less than -20°C: within 3°C.
5-5

5.4.2.7. Absolute Altitude: Within 10 m.

5.4.2.8. Vertical Sounding.

• Pressure: within 2 hPa.

• Temperature: within 1°C.

• Dew-point temperature:

From -20°C to +40°C: within l°C.

Less than -20°C: within 3°C.

• Wind direction: within 10 deg.

Wind speed: within 5 kt.

[NOTE: Present weather reconnaissance capabilities do not completely satisfy these requirements;

data will be collected as close to stated requirements as possible.]

5.4.3. High Density/High Accuracy (HD/HA) Data Requirements. The HD/HA data

include time, latitude, longitude, pressure altitude, D-value, radar altitude, peak winds, flight-level

wind speed and direction, temperature, and dew-point temperature. All data provided in HDOB

messages are 30-second averages, regardless of the interval at which the HDOB messages are

reported. See Appendix G for HDOB message formats. The DOC requires rapid acquisition and

transmission of tropical cyclone data, especially within the 24-hour period prior to landfall. If

HD/HA capability is lost on an operational mission, the airborne meteorologist will immediately

contact Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination, All Hurricanes (CARCAH) to determine data

requirements for the remainder of the mission. 

5.4.4. Synoptic Surveillance Data Requirements. When required, the TPC/NHC will

request mid- and/or upper-tropospheric sounding data on the periphery of systems approaching the

United States. The TPC/NHC and HRD will coordinate to provide specific tracks including control

points, control times and dropwindsonde frequency allocations to CARCAH for coordination with

the reconnaissance units.

5.4.5. Required Frequency and Content of Observations. Observation requirements are

summarized in Table 5-1. Deviations to these requirements will be coordinated through CARCAH.

Vortex and Supplemental Vortex message format and information is shown in Figure 5-4, Figure

5-5, Figure 5-6, and Table 5-2. Other data message formats and code breakdowns can be found in

Appendix G.
5-6

Table 5-1. Requirement for aircraft reconnaissance data

RECCO Section 1

plus 4ddff and 9VTTT

as applicable

Vortex Data

Message

(VDM)

Supplemental

Vortex

Message

(SVM)

Vertical Data

WMO Temp

Drop Code

(FM37-VII)

High Density

Observation

(HDOB)

En route Approx. every 30

minutes over water not

to exceed 200 nm

NA NA Every 400 nm

over water

None for 

WC-130H

unless requested 

30-sec interval

for WC-130J

Invest

area

Every 15 minutes and

at major turn points

After closing a

circulation

NA NA 1-min interval

for WC-130H

30-sec interval

for WC-130J

Fix 

pattern

End points of Alpha

pattern legs.

 When necessary with

radar fix information.

Each fix. 2 per mission Each tasked fix at

or above 700 mb.

Intermediate fixes

and eyewall

modules as

requested.

1-min interval

for WC-130H

30-sec interval

for WC-130J

5.5. Reconnaissance Planning and Flight Notification.

5.5.1. DOC Requests for Aircraft Reconnaissance Data.

5.5.1.1. Coordination. The Tropical Prediction/National Hurricane Center

(TPC/NHC) will coordinate with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) to determine a list

of the total DOC requirements for data on tropical and subtropical cyclones or disturbances for the

next 24-hour period (1100 to 1100 UTC) and an outlook for the succeeding 24-hour period. This

coordinated request will be provided to CARCAH as soon as possible, but not later than 1630 UTC

each day in the format of Figure 5-7. Amendments will be provided as required. 

5.5.1.2. Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day. From the coordinated DOC request,

CARCAH will publish the Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day (TCPOD). The format for the TCPOD

is shown in Figure 5-8. When DOC reconnaissance needs exceed DOD and DOC resources,

CARCAH will coordinate with the TPC/NHC to establish priorities of requirements.
5-7

5.5.1.3. Anticipated Reconnaissance Requests. Reconnaissance requests can be

anticipated for a forecast or actual storm location.

• For the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Central Pacific areas,

the requests can be:

< Up to four 6-hourly fixes per day when a storm is within 500 nm of

landfall and west of 55°W in the Atlantic.

< Up to eight 3-hourly fixes per day when a storm is forecast to be

within 300 nm of the U.S. coast, Hawaiian Islands, Puerto Rico,

Virgin Islands, DOD installations, and other DOD assets when

specified.

< Up to two synoptic surveillance missions per 24-hour period for

potentially landfalling storms. Note: The 53 WRS does not view

this as a change to current requirements. The 53 WRS will still be

held to 5 sorties per day.

• In the Eastern Pacific, reconnaissance missions may be tasked when

necessary to carry out warning responsibilities.

• Investigative flights may be requested for disturbances in areas defined

above, i.e., one or two flights per day dependent upon proximity of

landfall and upon known or suspected stage of development.

• Exceptions may be made when additional reconnaissance is essential to

carry out warning responsibilities.
5-8

DATE SCHEDULED FIX TIME AIRCRAFT NUMBER ARWO

WX MISSION IDENTIFICATION OB

VORTEX DATA MESSAGE

A Z DATE AND TIME OF FIX

B

DEG MIN N S LATITUDE OF VORTEX FIX

DEG MIN E W LONGITUDE OF VORTEX FIX

C MB M MINIMUM HEIGHT AT STANDARD LEVEL

D KT ESTIMATE OF MAXIMUM SURFACE WIND OBSERVED

E DEG NM BEARING AND RANGE FROM CENTER OF MAXIMUM SURFACE WIND

F DEG KT MAXIMUM FLIGHT LEVEL WIND NEAR CENTER

G DEG NM BEARING AND RANGE FROM CENTER OF MAXIMUM FLIGHT LEVEL WIND

H MB MINIMUM SEA LEVEL PRESSURE COMPUTED FROM DROPSONDE OR EXTRAPOLATED

FROM FLIGHT LEVEL. IF EXTRAPOLATED, CLARIFY IN REMARKS.

I C/ M MAXIMUM FLIGHT LEVEL TEMP/PRESSURE ALTITUDE OUTSIDE EYE

J C/ M MAXIMUM FLIGHT LEVEL TEMP/PRESSURE ALTITUDE INSIDE EYE

K C/ C DEWPOINT TEMP/SEA SURFACE TEMP INSIDE EYE

L EYE CHARACTER: Closed wall, poorly defined, open SW, etc.

M

EYE SHAPE/ORIENTATION/DIAMETER. Code eye shape as: C -Circular; CO - Concentric; EElliptical. Transmit orientation of major axis in tens of degree, i.e., 01-010 to 190; 17-170 to 350. 

Transmit diameter in nautical miles. Examples: C8 - Circular eye 8 miles in diameter. EO9/15/5

- Elliptical eye, major axis 090-270, length of major axis 15 NM, length of minor axis 5NM. CO8-

14 - Concentric eye, diameter inner eye 8 NM, outer eye 14 NM.

N

 

 −

FIX DETERMINED BY/FIX LEVEL. FIX DETERMINED BY: 1 - Penetration; 2 - Radar; 3 - Wind;

4 - Pressure; 5 - Temperature. FIX LEVEL (Indicate surface center if visible; indicate both

surface and flight level centers only when same): 0 - Surface; 1 - 1500ft; 9-925mb; 8 - 850 mb;

7 - 700 mb; 5 - 500 mb; 4 - 400 mb; 3 - 300 mb; 2 - 200 mb; NA - Other.

O « NM NAVIGATION FIX ACCURACY/METEOROLOGICAL ACCURACY

p REMARKS

 MAX FL WIND_________________KT_________QUAD_____________________________Z

 SLP EXTRAP FROM (Below 1500 FT/ 925 MB/ 850 MB/ DROPSONDE)

 SFC CNTR__________________________/______________NM FROM FL CNTR

 MAX FL TEMP _________C___________/___________NM FROM FL CNTR

INSTRUCTIONS: Items A through G (and H when extrapolated) are transmitted from the aircraft

immediately following the fix. The remainder of the message is transmitted as soon as available.

Figure 5-4. Vortex data message worksheet
5-9

SUPPLEMENTARY VORTEX DATA MESSAGE

WX MISSION ID

 

OB

SUPPLEMENTARY VORTEX DATA MESSAGE LEGEND

(LaLaLa)

01

(LoLoLoLo)

1

(jHHH)

1

(TTTdTd)

1

(ddfff)

01 INDICATOR FOR DATA COLLECTED

APPROXIMATELY 105 NM FROM STORM

CENTER (INBOUND) OR APPROXIMATELY 15 NM FROM CENTER (OUTBOUND)

OTHER INDICATORS (02/2, 03/3...) FOR

DATA AT APPROXIMATELY 15 NM INTERVALS INBOUND OR OUTBOUND FROM 

STORM CENTER. INDICATORS MAY BE

EXPANDED BEYOND 07(08,09...) AS

NECESSARY AT APPROXIMATELY 15NM

INTERVALS.

MF = INDICATOR FOR MAXIMUM FLIGHT

 LEVEL WIND OBSERVED

fff = SPEED OF WIND IN KNOTS

dd = TRUE DIRECTION OF FLIGHT LEVEL

 WIND SPEED IN TENS OF DEGREES

02 2 2 2

03 3 3 3

04 4 4 4

05 5 5 5

06 6 6 6

07 7 7 7

(LaLaLa) MF (LoLoLoLo) M (fff) MF

OBS 01 AT: Z OBS AT Z OBS 01 SFC WND:

(LaLaLa) 01 (LoLoLoLo) 1 (jHHH) 1 (TTTdTd) 1 (ddfff) TTTdTd = TEMP/DEWPOINT IN DEGREES

 CELSIUS: ADD 50 FOR NEGA-

 TIVE VALUES

jHHH = PRESSURE HEIGHT DATA IN RECCO

 FORMAT

LaLaLa = LATITUDE IN DEGREES/TENTHS

LoLoLoLo = LONGITUDE IN DEGREES/

 TENTHS

/ = DATA UNKNOWN/UNOBTAINABLE

02 2 2 2

03 3 3 3

04 4 4 4

05 5 5 5

06 6 6 6

07 7 7 7

(LaLaLa)

MF

(LoLoLoLo)

M

(fff)

MF

OBS 01 AT:

 Z OBS AT Z

OBS 07 SFC WND:

REMARKS (end of message)

Figure 5-5. Supplementary vortex data message
5-10

Table 5-2. Vortex data message entry explanation

 DATA ITEM ENTRY

MISSION IDENTIFIER As determined in Chapter 5, paragraph 5.7.6.

OBSERVATION NUMBER A two digit number determined by the sequential order in which

the observation is transmitted from the aircraft.

A (ALPHA) Date and time (UTC) of the flight level center fix. If the flight

level center cannot be fixed and the surface center is visible,

enter the time of the surface center fix.

B (BRAVO) The latitude and longitude of the center fix associated with item

ALPHA. NOTE: If the surface center is fixable, enter bearing

and range from the FL center in Remarks; e.g., SFC CNTR

270/15 nm, if the centers are separated by over 5 nm.

C (CHARLIE) Indicate the standard atmospheric surface e.g. 925, 850 or 700

hPa.

The minimum height of the standard surface observed inside

the center. If at 1,500 ft or below or not within 1,500 ft of a

standard surface, enter NA.

D (DELTA) The maximum surface wind observed during the inbound leg

associated with this fix.

E (ECHO) Bearing and range of the maximum surface wind observed (item

DELTA) from the coordinates reported in item BRAVO.

F (FOXTROT) The maximum flight level wind observed during the inbound

leg associated with this fix. If a significant secondary maximum

wind is observed, report it in remarks.
5-11

Table 5-2. Vortex data message entry explanation (continued)

G (GOLF) Bearing and range of the maximum flight level wind observed

(item FOXTROT) from the coordinates reported in item

BRAVO.

H (HOTEL) The minimum sea level pressure (SLP) to the nearest

hectopascal observed at the coordinates reported in item

BRAVO. Preface the SLP with "EXTRAP" (extrapolated)

when the data are not derived from dropsonde or when the SLP

is extrapolated from a dropsonde that terminated early. Clarify

the difference in remarks (e.g., SLP EXTRAPOLATED FROM

BELOW 1500 FEET/850 HPA/DROPSONDE).

I (INDIA) MAX FLT LVL TEMP--This temperature is taken just outside

the central region of a cyclone (i.e., just outside the eyewall or

just beyond the maximum wind band). This temperature may

not be the highest recorded on the inbound leg but is

representative of the environmental temperature just outside the

central region of the storm.

PRESSURE ALT--Pressure altitude data (meters) are taken at

the same location as the maximum temperature data reported in

item INDIA.

J (JULIET) MAX FLT LVL TEMP--The maximum temperature observed

within 5 nm of the center fix coordinates. If a higher

temperature is observed at a location more than 5 nm away from

the flight level center (item BRAVO), it is reported in Remarks,

including bearing and distance from the flight level center.

PRESSURE ALT--Pressure altitude data (meters) are taken at

the same location as the maximum temperature data reported in

item JULIET.

K (KILO) Dewpoint temperature/sea surface temperature are collected at

the same location as the maximum temperature reported in item

JULIET. Enter NA if not observed.
5-12

Table 5-2. Vortex data message entry explanation (continued)

L (LIMA) Only report if at least 50 percent of the center has an eyewall,

otherwise enter NA.

 Closed wall--if the center has 100 percent coverage with no

eyewall weakness.

 Open XX--if the center has 50 percent or more but less than

100 percent coverage. State the direction of the eyewall

weakness.

M (MIKE) Self explanatory. Report only if item LIMA is reported,

otherwise enter NA.

N (NOVEMBER) Fix determined by: Always report 1. Report 2 if radar indicates

curvature or banding consistent with fix location. Report 3 if

recorded or observed winds indicate a closed center. Report 4

if the fix pressure is lower than all reported on the inbound leg.

Report 5 if the fix temperature is at least higher than any

reported on the inbound leg.

Fix level: Report 0 alone if fix is made solely on surface winds.

Report 0 and the flight-level code if the centers are within 5 nm

of each other.

O (OSCAR) Navigational and meteorological accuracy are reported as the

upper limit of probable error. Meteorological accuracy is

normally reported as one-half of the diameter of the light and

variable wind center.

P (PAPA) Remarks to enhance the data reported above. Required remarks

include: (1) mission identifier and observation number; (2) the

maximum flight level wind observed, time of observation, and

the relative quadrant of the storm of the observed wind on the

latest pass through any portion of the storm; (3) the method of

deriving the central SLP when extrapolated; and (4) the bearing

and range of the surface center and/or maximum flight level

temperature if not within 5 nm of the flight level center.
5-13

WC-130H

URNT12 KNHC 161821

VORTEX DATA MESSAGE

A. 16/1821Z

B. 15 DEG 30 MIN N

 68 DEG 53 MIN W

C. 700 MB 2818 M

D. 70 KT

E. 263 DEG 13 NM

F. 329 DEG 81 KT

G. 263 DEG 53 NM

H. 967 MB

I. 10 C/ 3073 M

J. 18 C/ 3098 M

K. 8 C/ NA

L. OPEN SOUTH

M. E34/30/20

N. 12345/7

O. 0.1/2 NM

P. AF866 1016A LENNY OB 07

 MAX FL WIND 81 KT W QUAD 1806Z

WC-130J 

URNT12 KNHC 162129

VORTEX DATA MESSAGE

A. 16/21:16:20Z

B. 15 DEG 41 MIN N

 068 DEG 07 MIN W

C. NA MB 2743 M

D. NA KT

E. NA DEG NM

F. 121 DEG 087 KT

G. 034 DEG 010 NM

H. EXTRAP 957 MB

I. 7 C/ 3056 M

J. 16 C/ 3040 M

K. 10 C/ NA

L. OPEN W

M. E270/30/20

N. 12345/07

O. 0.02 / 3 NM

P. AF301 WXWXA LENNYTEST1 OB 05

MAX FL WIND 87 KT NE QUAD 21:13:30Z

SLP EXTRAP FROM 700 MB

URNT14 KNHC 161853

SUPPLEMENTARY VORTEX DATA MESSAGE

01154 10713 13080 11106 32035

02154 20710 23074 21008 32039

03154 30708 33074 31107 32031

04154 40705 43064 41008 32036

05154 50703 53052 51007 33042

06154 60700 63029 61007 34056

07154 70697 73006 70909 35045

MF154 M0698 MF081 

OBS 01 AT 1746Z 

OBS 07 AT 1810Z

OBS 01 SFC WND 01030 

01156 10687 13852 11509 13040

02158 20686 23937 21010 14082

03160 30684 33001 31010 16060

04162 40682 43028 41109 16046

05163 50680 53041 51008 17045

06165 60678 63046 61006 17055

07167 70676 73058 70908 17052

MF158 M0686 MF091

OBS 01 AT 1825Z

OBS 07 AT 1849Z

OBS 07 SFC WND /////

RMK AF866 1016A LENNY OB 11

URNT14 KNHC 162152

SUPPLEMENTARY VORTEX DATA MESSAGE

 INBOUND

 LAT LON jHHH TTDD ddfff

01166 10672 13038 10606 16031

02164 20674 23019 20906 17050

03162 30676 33985 30707 15052

04161 40678 43954 40909 16059

05159 50680 53868 51009 14073

MF158 M0680 MF087

OBS 01 AT 20:53:20Z

OBS 05 AT 21:12:00Z

OBS 01 SFC WND /////

 OUTBOUND

 LAT LON jHHH TTDD ddfff

01155 10683 13815 11605 32096

02153 20685 23929 20909 30089

03152 30687 33990 31008 31071

04150 40689 43018 41006 31060

05148 50691 53041 50909 30048

06146 60692 63050 61007 29046

07145 70694 73056 70908 28048

MF155 M0684 MF101

OBS 01 AT 21:20:50Z

OBS 07 AT 21:49:40Z

OBS 07 SFC WND 27045

RMK AF301 WXWXA LENNYTEST1 OB 07 

Figure 5-6. Example Vortex Data Messages (VDM) and Supplementary Vortex Data

Messages (SVDM) for the WC-130H and WC-130J
5-14

NHOP COORDINATED REQUEST FOR AIRCRAFT RECONNAISSANCE

__ Original

__ Amendment

 (Check One)

 I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS

 STORM NAME

 DEPRESSION #

 SUSPECT AREA

FIX OR ON

STATION

TIME COORDINATES

FLIGHT

PATTERN

FCST

MVMT

NHC

PRIORITY

GULFSTREAM 

SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK 

REMARKS 

 

 II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS

 STORM NAME

 DEPRESSION #

 SUSPECT AREA

FIX OR ON

STATION

TIME COORDINATES

FLIGHT

PATTERN

FCST

MVMT

NHC

PRIORITY

SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK 

REMARKS 

 III. DISTRIBUTION

 A. TO CARCAH BY 1630Z OR AMEND AT ANY TIME

 B. Date__________ Time__________ FCSTR INITIAL__________

 C. 53 WRS_______AOC___________Other________

Figure 5-7. NHOP coordinated request for aircraft reconnaissance
5-15

TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY FORMAT

--ATLANTIC AND CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEANS--

FM: CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL

TO: (AFRC-APPROVED ADDRESSEES)/(NOAA-APPROVED ADDRESSEES)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUBJECT: THE TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY

VALID ______Z (MONTH) TO ______Z (MONTH) (YEAR) 

TCPOD NUMBER.........(YR)-__________

I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS

1. (STORM NAME, DEPRESSION, SUSPECT AREA) or (NEGATIVE RECON REQUIREMENTS)

FLIGHT ONE (NHC PRIORITY, if applicable)

A. __________________________Z FIX/INVEST TIME

 __________________________Z

B. __________________________ MISSION IDENTIFIER

C. __________________________Z DEPARTURE TIME

D. __________________________ FORECAST POSITION

E. __________________________Z TIME ON STATION

F. __________________________ ALTITUDE(S) ON STATION

G. __________________________ REMARKS (if needed)

FLIGHT TWO (if applicable, same as FLIGHT ONE)

2. (SECOND SYSTEM, if applicable, same as in 1. above)

3. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY (NHC PRIORITY, if applicable)

A. POSSIBLE (Unit) ON STATION REQUIREMENT NEAR (Location) 

 AT (Time) Z.

II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS (Same as in ATLANTIC)

Figure 5-8. Tropical cyclone plan of the day format
5-16

5.5.2. DOD and DOC Reconnaissance Aircraft Responsiveness.

5.5.2.1. Requirement Notification. Notification of requirements must precede

tasked-on-station time by at least 16 hours plus en route time to the area of concern.

5.5.2.2. Prepositioning. The "Succeeding Day Outlook" portion of the TCPOD

provides advance notification of requirements and authorizes units to preposition aircraft to forward

operating locations. For missions requiring prepositioning, the "Succeeding Day Outlook" may not

provide adequate advance notification. In this situation, an "Additional Day Outlook" may be

included in the TCPOD to authorize units to preposition aircraft.

5.5.2.3. Resources Permitting. When circumstances preclude the appropriate

notification lead time, the requirement will be levied as "resources permitting." When a "resources

permitting" requirement is levied in an amendment, the TPC/NHC will indicate the priority of all

existing or remaining requirements.

5.5.2.4. Emergency Requirement. If a storm develops unexpectedly and could

cause a serious threat to lives and property within a shorter time than provided for in the paragraphs

above, CARCAH will contact the reconnaissance units, or higher headquarters, as appropriate, and

request assistance in implementing emergency procedures not covered in this plan. The TPC/NHC

and CPHC directors have authority to declare an emergency.

5.5.3. Reconnaissance Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day.

5.5.3.1. Preparation. CARCAH will coordinate the TCPOD (Figure 5-8) daily

during the period from June 1 to November 30 and at other times during the year as required.

Transmitted TCPODs will be serially numbered each season.

• CARCAH will coordinate the TCPOD with TPC/NHC, the 53 WRS,

and NOAA AOC before publication.

• The TCPOD will list all DOC and DOD required tropical and

subtropical cyclone operational reconnaissance. Research missions will

be listed in remarks when available by transmission time.

• The DOD-required tropical or subtropical cyclone reconnaissance

missions in the Atlantic or the Pacific west to 180° will be identified in

the TCPOD as USN or USAF requirements.

• Amendments to the TCPOD will be published only when requirements

change. When amended, the impact on each listed flight will be

identified; i.e., No Change, Change Added, or Cancel.
5-17

5.5.3.2. Dissemination. The TCPOD will be made available to appropriate agencies,

such as FAA, DOD, and NOAA, that provide support to or control of reconnaissance aircraft or are

a part of the tropical cyclone warning service. Under normal circumstances, the TCPOD will be

disseminated by 1900 UTC each day including weekends and holidays. If there are no current day

or succeeding-day reconnaissance requirements, a negative report, which covers the appropriate time

frame, will be disseminated. Amendments will be disseminated as required.

[NOTE: The TCPOD is disseminated under the header “MIAREPRPD” for AWIPS users and

“NOUS42 KNHC” for AWDS users. The TCPOD can be accessed via the Internet at

www.hurricanehunters.com/wxdata.htm, then click on Plan of the Day or via the Tropical Prediction

Center/National Hurricane Center homepage at www.nhc.noaa.gov, then click on aircraft

reconnaissance and then on Plan of the Day.]

5.5.4. Air Traffic Control (ATC) Clearances. 

5.5.4.1. Air Traffic Control Clearances. Flight plans for reconnaissance and

research flights shall be filed with the FAA as soon as practicable before departure time. 

5.5.4.2. Prior Coordination. The 53 WRS/DOO, AOC Flight Operations Division,

and the appropriate NASA facility shall contact the Air Traffic Control System Command Center

(ATCSCC) at (703) 708-5140/5144 as soon as possible prior to an NHOP/NWSOP reconnaissance,

surveillance, or research mission, and provide the following information:

• Mission call sign.

• Departure point and estimated time of departure.

• Approximate route to be flown.

• Requested altitude(s).

• Any special requests.

They shall also contact the affected Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), or the ATCSCC

shall contact the affected ARTCCs, if requested to do so. In addition, the 53 WRS, AOC, and

NASA shall transmit via facsimile the information in Appendix D to the U.S. NOTAM office no

later than 2 hours prior to departure, or as soon as possible. Transmittal of NOTAM information

to the NOTAM office via other electronic means must be agreed upon in advance by the NOTAM

office.

5.5.4.2.1. The 53 WRS shall only use the call sign “Teal ##,” AOC shall

only use “NOAA ##,” and NASA shall only use “NASA ##.” ATC will provide TEAL and NOAA

aircraft priority handling when specifically requested.

5.5.4.3. Air Traffic Control (ATC) Separation. The FAA will provide ATC

services and separation from nonparticipating aircraft on instrument flight rules to the 53 WRS,

AOC, and NASA aircraft operating in other than Class G airspace. Aircraft not flying on instrument

flight rules may be operating near the storm environment; therefore, adherence to ATC clearances
5-18

is mandatory for safety. When appropriate, military pilots shall clearly state to ATC that a segment

of flight will be conducted under the provisions of "due regard."

5.5.4.3.1. It is the responsibility of the aircraft commander to remain clear

of obstacles and nonparticipating aircraft when operating in Class G airspace.

5.5.4.3.2. The 53 WRS, AOC, and NASA are responsible for ensuring that

air traffic clearances and messages are relayed to/from the FAA in an accurate manner when those

relays are initiated by the 53 WRS, AOC, and NASA and are routed through other than Aeronautical

Radio, Inc. (ARINC).

5.5.4.3.3. CARCAH will advise the 53 WRS, AOC, and NASA operations

centers whenever more than one PARTICIPATING AIRCRAFT will be in the area of interest at the

same time. The respective operations centers will advise the affected flight crews. 

5.5.4.3.4. PARTICIPATING AIRCRAFT crews will set 29.92 (inches hg)

in at least one pressure altimeter. When contact is made with other PARTICIPATING AIRCRAFT,

crews will confirm (as a minimum) other aircraft’s pressure altitude, geographic position, and true

heading. Crews will not fly within 2,000 feet (vertical) of other participants operating in the same

area of interest without concurrence of other PARTICIPATING AIRCRAFT.

5.5.4.4. Assigned Altitudes. When storm aircraft are unable to maintain assigned

altitudes due to turbulence, ATC shall be advised. When deviation from assigned altitude is

required, the pilot shall coordinate with ATC and obtain a clearance prior to changing altitudes.

When numerous changes in altitude will be required, the pilot should request a "block altitude"

clearance from ATC. Any deviations from ATC clearance shall first be coordinated with the

appropriate ATC facility.

5.5.4.5. Release of Dropsondes. During NHOP missions and when operationally

feasible, dropsonde instrument releases from FL 190 or higher and sensor activation shall be

coordinated with the appropriate ARTCC/CERAP by advising of a pending drop or sensor activation

at least 10 minutes prior to the event when in direct radio contact with ATC. When contact with

ATC is via ARINC, event coordination shall be included with the position report prior to the point

where the action will take place, unless all instrument release points have been previously relayed

to the affected ATC center(s). Example: “Teal 63, SLATN at 1215, FL290 block 310, estimating

FLANN at 1250, CHAMP next; Weather instrument release at FLANN.” Contact between

participating aircraft will be made using the frequencies listed in paragraph 5.9.3.

5.5.4.5.1. During NHOP missions, commencing 5 minutes prior to release

of dropsondes from FL190 or higher, the aircraft commander will broadcast in the blind on radio

frequencies 121.5 MHZ and 243.0 MHZ to advise any traffic in the area of the impending drop.

Pilots shall not make these broadcasts if they will interfere with routine ATC communications, such

as in the vicinity of an airport approach control facility. The aircraft commander is responsible for
5-19

determining the content and duration of a broadcast, concerning a dropsonde release or sensor

activation.

5.5.4.5.2. The aircraft commander is the sole responsible party for all

dropsonde releases or activation of sensors. Aircraft commanders will insure coordination with

other PARTICIPATING AIRCRAFT prior to sensor activation or dropwindsonde release.

5.5.4.6. ATC Communications Backup. When 53 WRS or AOC flights are unable

to contact ATC to request an en route clearance, a clearance request may be relayed through the

Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination, All Hurricanes (CARCAH) or the 53 WRS Mission

Commander/Supervisor of Flying. This backup procedure will only be used to preclude a potential

emergency or safety-related situation.

5.5.4.7. Hurricane/Tropical Cyclone (NHOP) Mission Procedures.

PARTICIPATING AIRCRAFT will comply with procedures in the NHOP in order to provide

separation from other PARTICIPATING AIRCRAFT.

5.6. Reconnaissance Effectiveness Criteria.

5.6.1. General. Specified reconnaissance times are established to allow sufficient time for

the forecaster to analyze the data before issuing an advisory. Every effort should be made to obtain

data at scheduled times. The following criteria will be used to assess reconnaissance mission

effectiveness: 

5.6.1.1. Tropical Cyclone Fix Mission.

• ON-TIME. The fix is made not earlier than 1 hour before nor later than

1⁄2 hour after scheduled fix time.

• EARLY. The fix is made from 1 hour before scheduled fix time to

one-half of the time interval to the preceding scheduled fix, not to

exceed 3 hours.

• LATE. The fix is made within the interval from 1⁄2 hour after scheduled

fix time to one-half of the time interval to the succeeding scheduled fix,

not to exceed 3 hours.

• MISSED. Data are not obtained within the parameters specified for

on-time, early, or late. 

[NOTE: Appropriate credit will be given when the aircraft arrives in the requested area but is

unable to locate a center due to storm dissipation or rapid movement. Credit will also be given for

radar fixes if penetration is not possible due to geographic or other flight restrictions.]
5-20

5.6.1.2. Tropical Cyclone Investigative Missions. 

• ON-TIME. An observation must be taken within 250 nm of the

specified coordinates by the scheduled time.

• LATE. An observation is taken within 250 nm of the specified

coordinates after the scheduled time but not later than the scheduled

time plus 2 hours.

• MISSED. When the aircraft fails to be within the 250 nm of the

specific coordinates by the scheduled time plus 2 hours or is unable to

provide meaningful data.

5.6.1.3. Synoptic Surveillance Missions. 

• SATISFIED. Requirements are considered satisfied upon completion

of the assigned track and the acquired dropwindsonde data are

transmitted from the aircraft prior to the HPC/MPC deadline for

synoptic analysis.

• MISSED. When the requirements listed above are not satisfied.

5.6.2. Mission Assessment. The TPC/NHC or CPHC will provide CARCAH a written

assessment of the reconnaissance mission anytime its timeliness or quality is outstanding or

substandard (see Figure 5-9). Mission requirements levied as "resources permitting" will not be

assessed for timeliness but may be assessed for quality of data gathered.

5.6.3. Summaries. CARCAH will maintain monthly and seasonal reconnaissance

summaries, detailing requirements tasked by TPC/NHC and CPHC and missions accomplished. 

5.7. Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Encoding, Reporting, and Coordination. 

5.7.1. Vortex Data. A vortex data message (Figure 5-4) will be prepared for all fixes, using

all observed vortex fix information.

5.7.2. Center Fix Data. When proximity to land, air traffic control restriction, or other

factors prevent actual penetration of the vortex by the reconnaissance aircraft, it is permissible to

fix the cyclone by radar. All aircraft radar fix reports will be made in plain text and appended to a

RECCO observation taken at fix time or to a supplementary vortex data message completed up to

the time of the radar fix, e.g., RADAR CENTER FIX 21.5N 83.0W, POOR RADAR

PRESENTATION, NAV ACCURACY 5NM. The remark stating the type of radar fix and quality

of the radar presentation is in accordance with Chapter 7, paragraph 7.3.2.
5-21

5.7.3. Peripheral Data. Storm penetration and collection of peripheral data will normally

begin at the operational altitude approximately 105 nm from the center as determined by the flight

meteorologist. The Supplementary Vortex Data Message (Figure 5-5) will be encoded and reported

as specified in Table 5-1.

MISSION EVALUATION FORM

MEMORANDUM FOR: OL-A, 53WRS/CARCAH

FROM: (Director, NHC, CPHC) 

SUBJECT: Mission Evaluation

 (Mission Identifier)

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS:

Premission Coordinates (As Updated Prior to TKO)_____________________N___________________W

Flight Pattern __________________________________________________________________________

Mission Requirements Times ______________________________________________________________

RECONNAISSANCE MISSION PERFORMANCE:

Flight Flown: _____Completely _____Partially _____Other

Horizontal Data Coverage: _____Complete _____Timely _____Accurate

_____Incomplete _____Untimely _____Inaccurate

Vertical Data Coverage: _____Complete _____Timely _____Accurate

_____Incomplete _____Untimely _____Inaccurate

Requirements Accomplished: _____On Time _____Early _____Late

_____Missed

OVERALL MISSION EVALUATION:

OUTSTANDING____________

UNSATISFACTORY____________ FOR:

COMPLETENESS____________ TIMELINESS____________ ACCURACY____________

EQUIPMENT_______________ PROCEDURES____________ OTHER_______________

REMARKS: (Brief but specific)

________________________

FORECASTER's SIGNATURE

Figure 5-9. Mission evaluation form
 1

 AF plus last 3 digits of tail number

 2

 NOAA, plus last digit of aircraft registration number 

 3

 A=Atlantic, Caribbean, or Gulf of Mexico, E=Eastern Pacific, C=Central Pacific, W=Western Pacific

5-22

5.7.4. Mission Coordination. Mission coordination for all missions will be accomplished

through CARCAH. Meteorological discussions for Central Pacific missions may be accomplished

directly with the CPHC; however, any changes to tasking will be accomplished through CARCAH.

5.7.5. Post-flight Debriefing. Unless otherwise directed, the flight meteorologist will

provide either an airborne or post-flight debriefing to the appropriate hurricane center through

CARCAH to ensure all observations were received and understood.

5.7.6. Mission Identifier. Regular weather and hurricane reconnaissance messages will

include the five-digit agency/aircraft indicator followed by the CARCAH-assigned mission/stormsystem indicator. Elements of the mission identifier follow:

Agency/Aircraft Mission Storm System Indicator

Agency + Aircraft Sequential Two-digit depression Location Storm name

 Number1,2 number of number or two-letter A,E,C,or W3 or mission type

mission in identifier if not a (i.e., CYCLONE,

this storm depression or greater or INVEST)

 For non-tasked missions, WXWX, or for a

numbered depression or stronger, WX+

depression number. 

-EXAMPLESAF966 0201C CYCLONE (USAF aircraft 966 on the second mission on tropical

depression number 1 in the Central Pacific. Invest or fix

as specified in the TCPOD.)

AF984 0403E CARLOS (USAF aircraft 984 on the fourth mission on tropical

depression 3 which formed in the Eastern Pacific and

acquired the name Carlos.)

NOAA2 01CCA INVEST (NOAA aircraft 42RF on the first mission to investigate

the third suspect area in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico or

Caribbean.)

NOAA3 WX01A AGNES (NOAA aircraft 43RF on a non-tasked mission into

AGNES.)
5-23

5.7.7. Observation Numbering and Content. Air Force aircraft movement information

(i.e., departure time and location, and ETA’s to locations) will not be included in observation

remarks. That information should be passed to CARCAH via SATCOM administrative messages.

The mission identifier will be the first mandatory remark followed by the observation number. All

observations (RECCO, vortex, supplemental, and dropsonde) from the first to the last will be

numbered sequentially. HDOBs will be automatically numbered sequentially but separately from

other observations. When an aircraft is diverted from its original mission to fulfill TPC/NHC

requirements, conclude the original mission by using the last report remark. The next observation

from the diverted aircraft will use the CARCAH-assigned mission identifier, will be numbered OB

01, and will include the time of diversion. 

-EXAMPLERMK AF987 0lBBA INVEST OB 01 DPTD AF987 WXWXA AT 05/1235Z

5.8. Operational Flight Patterns. This section details the operational flight patterns that provide

vortex and peripheral data on tropical and subtropical cyclones.

5.8.1. Flight Pattern ALPHA Operational Details.

5.8.1.1. Flight Levels and Sequence. Flight levels will normally be 1,500 ft, 925

hPa, 850 hPa, or 700 hPa, depending on data requirements and flight safety. Legs will normally be

105 nm long and flown on intercardinal tracks (45 degrees off cardinal tracks). The flight sequence

is shown in Figure 5-10. The pattern can be started at any intercardinal point and then repeated

throughout the mission. Prior to starting an inbound or outbound track the aircrew should evaluate

all available data, e.g., radar presentation, satellite photo, for flight safety. Once started on course,

every effort should be made to maintain a straight track and the tasked altitude. A horizontal

observation is required at each leg end point. This data is transmitted immediately. The ALPHA

pattern may be modified to satisfy unique customer requirements (such as extending legs to examine

the wind profile of a strong storm) or because of proximity of land or warning areas.

Figure 5-10. Flight pattern ALPHA
5-24

5.8.1.2. Vortex fix data. On each transit of the center a fix will be made and a vortex

data message completed, using data gathered on the inbound track since the previous fix and will

be transmitted immediately. Center dropsonde data will also be provided for scheduled fixes made

at 700 hPa or above. The dropsonde will be released at the flight-level center coordinates (item

BRAVO of the vortex data message). For fixes when dropsonde-measured SLP is not available,

extrapolated SLP will be computed and reported.

5.8.1.3. Supplementary Vortex Messages (SVDM). Two SVDM (one ALPHA

pattern) will normally be provided per fix mission. Requests for additional SVDM will be directed

to CARCAH. When high density data is not available, supplementary vortex data messages will be

provided with each fix.

5.8.2. Investigative Missions. An investigative mission is tasked on tropical disturbances

to determine the existence or non-existence of a closed circulation, supply reconnaissance

observations in required areas, and locate the vortex center, if any.

5.8.2.1. Flight Levels. Flight level will normally be at or below 1,500 ft absolute

altitude but may be adjusted as dictated by data requirements, meteorological conditions, or flying

safety factors.

5.8.2.2. Vortex Fix. A vortex data message is required if a vortex fix is made.

5.8.2.3. Closed Circulation. A closed circulation is supported by at least one

sustained wind reported in each quadrant of the cyclone. Surface winds are preferred.

5.8.2.4. Flight Pattern. The preferred approach is to fly to the tasked coordinates

of the forecasted center and then execute a pattern as observed conditions dictate. Suggested

patterns are the X, Box, or Delta patterns, but the flight meteorologist may choose any approach.

See Figure 5-11. Turns are usually made to take advantage of tailwinds whenever possible.

Figure 5-11. Suggested patterns for investigative missions 
5-25

• On the X pattern, the aircraft is turned to head directly towards the center, as

indicated by the surface or flight level winds. The aircraft is flown through the

calm center until winds from the opposite direction occur (second quadrant). The

aircraft is then turned to a cardinal heading until a wind shift occurs (third

quadrant). Finally, the aircraft is turned towards the center and flown straight

through the center to the last quadrant.

• On the Box pattern, the aircraft is flown on cardinal headings around the

suspected center. The track resembles three sides of a square.

• On the Delta pattern, the aircraft is flown on a cardinal heading to pass 60 nm

from the forecasted center. After observing a wind shift (second quadrant) the

aircraft is turned to pass through the center until winds from the opposite

direction occur (third quadrant). Finally, the aircraft is turned on a cardinal

heading (parallel to the initial heading) to pick up the fourth quadrant winds. If

data indicate that the aircraft is far north of any existing circulation, the pattern

is extended as shown by the dashed lines.

[NOTE: The depicted pattern may be converted to a mirror image if entry is made from a different

direction.]

5.8.3. Synoptic Surveillance Missions. A synoptic surveillance mission is tasked to

measure the large-scale wind and thermodynamic fields within approximately 800 nautical miles

of tropical cyclones. Specific flight tracks will vary depending on storm location and synoptic

situation, and multiple aircraft may be required to satisfy surveillance mission requirements.

5.8.4. Eyewall and Outer-Wind Field Sampling Modules. These are patterns of

dropwindsonde releases designed to measure the maximum surface wind, as well as the extent of

hurricane and tropical storm force surface winds. They are meant to be flown using the operational

alpha pattern. Dropwindsonde releases in these modules are in addition to any other releases

required by Table 5-1.

5.8.4.1. Eyewall Module. While executing a standard alpha pattern to satisfy a fix

requirement, one sounding will be taken during each inbound and outbound passage through the

eyewall (except as noted below), for a total of four soundings. The releases should be made at or

just inward (within 1-2 km) of the flight-level radius of maximum wind (RMW). If the radar

presentation is suitable, the inner edge of the radar eyewall may be used to identify the release point.

If possible, and when resources and safety permit, two dropwindsondes, spaced less than 30 seconds

apart, should be deployed on the inbound leg on the side of the storm believed to have the highest

surface winds (normally the right-hand side). In this case, the outer of the two releases should be

made at the RMW, with the second release following as soon as possible. Typically, the eyewall

module will be tasked within 48 hours of a forecasted hurricane landfall. 
5-26

5.8.4.2 Outer-Wind Field Module. On an alpha pattern, deploy dropwindsondes

at 50 nm intervals from the center on each of two successive inbound and outbound legs, outward

to 200 nm. A release should also be made at the midpoint of the cross (downwind) leg, for a total

of 17 soundings. The length of the legs and the sounding interval may be adjusted, depending on

the size of the storm.

5.9. Aircraft Reconnaissance Communications. 

5.9.1. General. The 53 WRS WC-130 and NOAA WP-3D aircraft will normally transmit

reconnaissance observations via the Air Force Satellite Communications System (AFSATCOM),

commercial SATCOM or high frequency (HF) radio phone patch. Figures 5-12 and 5-13 depict the

ASDL and AFSATCOM communications links. The NOAA G-IV will normally transmit WMO Temp

Drop messages via commercial SATCOM. Flight meteorologists should contact CARCAH

following the first fix, and periodically throughout the mission.

5.9.2. Air-to-Ground Communications (HF Radio). The weather reconnaissance crew

may relay weather data via direct telephone patch to the weather data monitor. Monitors will

evaluate these reports and disseminate them through the Air Force's Automated Weather Network

(AWN) or to the weather communications facility at Suitland, Maryland. When requested,

aeronautical stations will provide a discrete frequency for mission use, if possible. Specific radio

procedures and terminology will comply with Allied Communications Publication 125, Standard

Telephone and Radio Procedures. The use of IMMEDIATE precedence for transmission of

hurricane reconnaissance data is authorized because of the perishable nature and potential

operational impact of weather data. Data will be routed by direct phone patch between the aircraft

and CARCAH.

5.9.3. Air-to-Air Communications. When more than one aircraft is known to be operating

in a particular area of interest, the following frequencies will be used for airplane-to-airplane

communications and coordination unless otherwise directed by air traffic control:

• Primary: VHF 123.05 MHZ

• Secondary: UHF 304.8 MHZ

• Back-up: HF 4701 KHz USB

5.9.4. Aircraft-to-Satellite Data Link (ASDL) Equipped Aircraft. Aircraft equipped with

ASDL have the option to utilize the ASDL system. Prior to the beginning of the hurricane season,

each ASDL-equipped aircraft will perform a ground or airborne test of the equipment and data

ground handling procedures to determine the equipment reliability, transmission errors, and time

lapse between transmission of the data from the aircraft and receipt of the data by the hurricane

forecaster. Test data will be forwarded to the Chairman, Working Group for Hurricane and Winter

Storms Operations and Research.
5-27

Figure 5-12. Schematic of aircraft-to-satellite data link for NOAA P-3 aircraft
5-28

Figure 5-13. Schematic of aircraft-to-satellite data link for AFRC WC-130 aircraft
6-1

CHAPTER 6

SATELLITE SURVEILLANCE OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL CYCLONES

6.1. Satellites. 

6.1.1. Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES). Using modern 3-axis

stabilization for orbit control, GOES-12 at 75°W and GOES-10 at 135°W support the operational

two-GOES constellation. Independent imager and sounder instruments eliminate the need to time

share, yielding an increase in spatial coverage of image and sounder data at more frequent scanning

intervals. The GOES also provides higher resolution and additional spectral channels than its

predecessor, affording the hydrometeorological community improvements in detection, monitoring,

and analysis of developing tropical cyclones. From 135°W and 75°W, routine GOES satellite data

coverage is extensive, stretching from the central Pacific through the Americas to the eastern

Atlantic, including the vital breeding grounds for tropical cyclones.

Routinely, each GOES schedule provides two views of the CONUS (GOES-10 view is termed

PACUS) every 30 minutes. More frequent interval scans can be employed to support NOAA's

warning programs, including the tracking of tropical and subtropical cyclones. Government

agencies and the private sector have access to digital data transmissions directly from NOAAPORT

or directly from GOES.

The current series of GOES satellites provide satellite data generated from full resolution, and

imager and sounder data. Imagery at 1, 4, and 8 km resolution is available for daytime and

nighttime applications. The increased resolution of the satellite imagery is a vast improvement from

previous satellites. Visible data are available at 1 km, "near infrared" (channel 2 data) as well as the

infrared channels 4 and 5 are available at 4 km resolution, and water vapor (channel 3) is available

at 8 km resolution on GOES-10 and 4 km resolution on GOES-12. Channel 2 data are valuable for

the detection of low clouds, fog, stratus, and surface hot spots; channel 5 data, available on GOES10, in combination with data from channels 2 and/or 4 are useful for detecting volcanic ash in the

atmosphere. On GOES-12, channel 5 is replaced by a new 13.3 micron channel 6 that detects the

presence of CO2. Channel 6 improves the measurement of the height of clouds and volcanic ash,

thus improving computer model forecasts and ash warnings to the aviation community. The digital

data may be enhanced to emphasize different features as desired. A suite of digital data and

products is available to users in the National Weather Service (NWS), the National Environmental

Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), other Federal agencies, the academic

community, and many private agencies, both national and international. These data are made

available through NOAAPORT, RAMSDIS, the Internet, and other means such as local networks.

6.1.1.1. GOES-12. GOES-12, launched July 23, 2001, supports the GOES-East

station at 75°W and serves NOAA operations, to include the TPC/NHC, other Federal agencies, and

the private sector. Various imager channels at higher resolutions are being utilized to monitor the

intensification and movement of tropical cyclones over the Atlantic Ocean and a portion of the East
6-2

Pacific. In particular, greater detail in the imagery facilitates tropical cyclone monitoring and

analysis, and the use of the 3.9 micron channel to the GOES imager has vastly improved the

detection of low-level circulation centers at night to assist in storm positioning. Retrievals from the

GOES sounder are now being incorporated into NCEP's numerical models to improve model output.

In addition, sounder data are being exploited to generate derived product imagery such as total

precipitable water, atmospheric stability indices, and surface and cloud temperatures.

During the 1996 hurricane season, NESDIS instituted a specialized GOES-East sounder

schedule consisting of four sectors covering distinct areas of the Atlantic Ocean. Of the four

sounder sectors, the CONUS sector is scanned every hour and covers the northern Gulf of Mexico

and the east coast of the United States. During routine scanning operations, of the other 3 sounder

sectors (the Gulf of Mexico, North Atlantic, and the East Carribean) the Gulf of Mexico sector is

designated as the “primary OCONUS” (off CONUS) sector and is scanned 4 times in a 6 hour

period, while the other two sectors are only scanned once in every 6 hour period. Event driven, this

“primary OCONUS” sounder sector can be changed by the TPC/NHC. The "primary" OCONUS

sector provides frequent scans over the area of interest to generate experimental sounder winds

(identifies steering currents) and provide moisture and temperature retrievals. Sounder winds are

made available to TPC/NHC as a forecasting tool by the Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale

Meteorological Studies (CIMSS), University of Wisconsin. 

6.1.1.2. GOES-10. GOES-10, a clone of GOES-8, was launched on April 24, 1997,

and supports the GOES-West station at 135°W. The spacecraft carries the same specified imager

and sounder instruments as GOES-8 and GOES-9. Due to failure of GOES-9 described below,

GOES-10 was declared operational in July 1998 and was moved to 135°W. The routine scanning

mode of GOES-10 provides coverage of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere eastern Pacific

Ocean as well as the western United States. The GOES-West satellite also supports the missions

of both the TPC/NHC and the CPHC, and provides coverage of developing tropical cyclones over

the East and Central Pacific. The DOD and other Federal agencies are also supported.

6.1.1.3. GOES-9. GOES-9, launched May 23, 1995, was replaced by GOES-10 as

the operational satellite located at 135°W due to its imminent failure. While the satellite has some

momentum wheel problems, GOES-9 is currently stationed over the West Pacific at 155° East, and

being used operationally for weather surveillance. This operation is the result of an agreement

between NOAA and the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) to ensure the continuity of weather

satellite operations when GMS-5 was taken out of operation in mid-2003. JMA is scheduled to

launch MTSAT-1R in late 2004 to replace GOES-9.

6.1.1.4. GOES-11. GOES-11 was launched on May 3, 2000. GOES-11 is also a

clone of GOES-8 and carries the same imager and instrumentation capabilities as GOES-8 and

GOES-10. GOES-11 is stored on orbit until required to replace either of the older operational

satellites.
6-3

Figure 6-1. The GOES satellite system
6-4

6.1.1.5. GOES-8. GOES-8 was launched on April 13, 1994 and is stored on orbit

as a secondary backup to GOES-9. 

6.1.1.6 GOES-N. GOES-N is scheduled to be launched in December 2004. GOESN is a clone of GOES-12 and will carry the same imager and instrumentation capabilities as GOES12.

(NOTE: Sounding schedules can be obtained at

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/SATS/eclipse.html)

6.1.2. EUMETSAT Meteosat Geostationary Satellites. Meteosat-8, launched Aug 28,

2002, has replaced Meteosat-7 and provides vital coverage of developing tropical waves off the

African Coast and western Atlantic Ocean. Conventionally, the full disk IR, visible (VIS), and water

vapor imagery have a 2 km resolution whereas specialized VIS sectors provide a maximum 1 km

resolution. The digital data are transmitted to NESDIS and NCEP at the NOAA Science Center

(NSC) in Camp Springs, MD, every half hour. They are also available to the TPC and the Storm

Prediction Center (SPC) through central processing at the NSC. Meteosat WEFAX data are also

available and distributed via the GOES WEFAX system and through NOAAPORT as part of a

northern hemisphere composite image.

In December 1995, EUMETSAT, the program administrator, began encrypting digital Meteosat data

24 hours per day to regulate use within Europe. Based on international data policy agreements, U.S.

non-government users are allowed access via a domestic satellite to non-encrypted Meteosat data

8 times per day at synoptic times; at other times, the data are encrypted. Hence, if half-hourly

transmissions are required to support operational requirements, it is necessary for users to register

with EUMETSAT to acquire decryption devices for installation at their local site (NOAA/DOD and

other U.S. government agencies are registered). 

6.1.3. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Polar-Orbiting

Satellites. Two primary operational NOAA polar orbiting satellites, NOAA-16 and NOAA-17,

provide image coverage four times a day over a respective area in 6 spectral channels (however only

5 channels can be supported at one time; channel switching is used to support the 6th channel).

These satellites cross the U.S. twice per day at 12-hour intervals for each geographical area near the

Equatorial crossing times listed in Table 6-1. NOAA-16 and NOAA-17 provide the same

capabilities as previous NOAA satellites, except for the addition of an Advanced Microwave

Sounder Unit (AMSU). Data are available via direct readout--high resolution picture transmission

(HRPT) or automatic picture transmission (APT)--or central processing. Data from the Advanced

Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) are available on a limited basis through the GOES

distribution system (Figure 6-1). The Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA), Offutt AFB, NE,

receives global NOAA imagery data direct from central readout sites on a pass-by-pass basis. The

Command and Data Acquisition (CDA) stations at Fairbanks, AL, and Wallops, VA, acquire

recorded global area coverage data, and then route the data to NESDIS computer facilities in

Suitland, MD, where the data are processed and distributed to the NOAA, the DOD, and private
6-5

communities. Ground equipment installed at various NWS regions including Kansas City and

Miami (TPC), enable direct readout and data processing of AVHRR data from NOAA-16 and

NOAA-17. The high resolution polar data and products generated at TPC complement other satellite

data sources to support tropical mission objectives.

6.1.3.1. NOAA-N. NOAA-N is scheduled to be launched in September 2004.

NOAA-N will have the same capabilities as NOAA-16 and NOAA-17.

6.2. National Weather Service (NWS) Support.

6.2.1. Station Contacts. The GOES imagery is available in support of the surveillance of

tropical and subtropical cyclones at specific NWS offices. Satellite meteorologists can be contacted

at these offices; telephone numbers are in Appendix I.

6.2.2. Products. In addition to the satellite-related products listed in paragraphs 3.6.1, 3.6.2,

and 3.6.3, there are two additional satellite products issued by the centers and their alternates. 

6.2.2.1. Satellite Tropical Weather Discussions. TPC/NHC issues these

discussions four times a day. They describe significant features from the latest surface analysis and

significant weather areas for the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and between the equator and 32°N

in both the Atlantic and eastern Pacific east of 140°W. CPHC issues these discussions twice a day.

They describe significant features from the latest surface analysis and significant weather areas for

the central north and south Pacific from 140°W to 180°, and for the western north and south Pacific

from 100°E to 180°. Plain Language is used. 

6.2.2.2. Satellite Interpretation Message. CPHC issues these messages four times

a day to describe synoptic features and significant weather areas in the vicinity of the Hawaiian

Islands. FAA contractions are used.

6.2.3. Satellite Tropical Weather Discussion. The Miami and Honolulu WSFOs distribute

satellite discussions for prescribed oceanic regions at the times indicated in Table 6-1. The Miami

WSFO is responsible for the tropical regions of the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific; Honolulu WSFO

monitors the tropical regions of the Central and Western Pacific. These satellite discussions

describe significant weather in tropical regions including tropical storm activity over the Atlantic,

Eastern Pacific, Central Pacific, and Western Pacific Oceans.

6.3. NESDIS Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB). The SAB operates 24 hours a day to provide

satellite support to the HPC/OPC, TPC, CPHC, JTWC, and other worldwide users. SAB

coordinates, as conditions warrant, four times per day with TPC and CPHC, relaying pertinent

information on tropical cyclone development, including location, tracking, and intensity analysis.

A Satellite Weather Bulletin for the Indian Ocean and West Pacific Ocean, providing current

position and current intensity of tropical cyclones, is also disseminated four times per day at the

times indicated in Table 6-1. For numerical model input and forecasting applications, data from
6-6

high density cloud motion wind vectors, high density water vapor wind vectors, four layers of

derived precipitable water from sounder moisture retrievals, and tropical rainfall estimates are

provided to HPC and TPC. Telephone numbers for the SAB are located in Appendix H.

6.4. Air Force Support and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). Data

covering the National Hurricane Operations Plan areas of interest are received centrally at the Air

Force Weather Agency (AFWA) and locally at several direct readout sites. The USAF uses all

available meteorological satellite data when providing fix and intensity information to NWS

hurricane forecasters. The DOD will provide DMSP coverage of tropical and subtropical cyclones

whenever possible.

6.4.1. North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Surveillance. AFWA readouts will augment

NESDIS surveillance for the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific. AFWA will, resources permitting,

transmit four daily electronic text bulletins, describing the location and intensity classification of

the system, using format shown in Figure 6-2 to the TPC/NHC on organized disturbances evident

at the tropical classification of one point five (T-1.5) or higher. AFWA will, resources permitting,

provide gale wind radius analysis utilizing SSM/I data for all systems with maximum intensities

greater than 50 kt.

6.4.2. Central Pacific Surveillance. AFWA will maintain the capability to provide

surveillance support cited in para 6.4.1 to the CPHC. The 17 OWS/WXJ (JTWC Satellite

Operations) will provide fix and intensity information to the CPHC on systems upon request.
6-7

Table 6-1. Communications headings for satellite tropical weather discussion summaries

WMO HEADING TIME ISSUED OCEANIC AREA TYPE OF DATA

ACPA40 PHFO 2200 UTC Central Pacific VIS/IR

(north and south)

from 180o

 to 140oW

ACPW40 PHFO 2200 UTC Western Pacific VIS/IR

(north and south)

from 100oE to 180o

ATHW40 PHFO 0030, 0530, Vicinity of the VIS/IR

1230, 1830 UTC Hawaiian Islands

AXNT20 KNHC 0000,0600, Atlantic Ocean VIS/IR

1200,1800 UTC South of 32°N to

Equator....

Caribbean, Gulf

of Mexico

AXPZ20 KNHC 0135, 0735 Eastern Pacific VIS/IR

1335, 1935 UTC South of 32°N

to the Equator....

east of 140° W

WWPN20 KWBC 0400, 1000, West Pacific Ocean VIS/IR

1600, 2200 UTC

WWPS20 KWBC 0400, 1000, South Pacific Ocean VIS/IR

1600, 2200 UTC

WWIO20 KWBC 0400, 1000, North Indian Ocean VIS/IR

1600, 2200 UTC

WWIO21 KWBC 0400, 1000, South Indian Ocean VIS/IR

1600, 2200 UTC
6-8

MESSAGE HEADING:

TPNT KGWC (Atlantic) or TPPZ1 KGWC (Eastern and Central Pacific)

A

CYCLONE DESIGNATOR

A. Designator of tropical cyclone category including name/number. When a cloud system

has not yet been designated by name/number enter TROPICAL DISTURBANCE.

Sample entry: TROPICAL STORM AMY (15)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B

DATE/TIME (Z) OF FIX

B. Date and nodal crossing time in Zulu; round time to nearest minute. Sample entry: 

252303Z.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C

LATITUDE OF POSITION

C. Latitude to nearest tenth of degree (N or S), followed by checksum. Sample entry: 

29.9N/0

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D

LONGITUDE OF POSITION

D. Longitude to nearest tenth of degree followed by checksum. Sample entry: 56.7 W/8

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E

VIS/IR POSITION CODE NUMBER

SSM/I CONFIDENCE NUMBER

E. Enter SSM/I Confidence Number and source of data (DMSP, NOAA, etc.). Spell out

VIS/IR Position Code Number (PCN). Select MI Confidence Number and PCN number

from code below:

GEOGRAPHICAL GRIDDING EPHEMERIS GRIDDING

ONE: eye fix TWO: eye fix 

THREE: well defined FOUR: well defined

circulation circulation

center center

FIVE: poorly defined SIX: poorly defined

circulation circulation

center center

Sample entry: MI4/DMSP/SIX

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

F

DVORAK CLASSIFICATION

F. Dvorak classification for storm intensity as described in NOAA Technical Report NESDIS

11. Dvorak classification will be made a minimum of twice each day based on infrared

and/or visual data. If a new Dvorak classification number cannot be derived, use the last

reported number. Include in parentheses the date and nodal time of the data on which

the Dvorak analysis is based. 

Sample entry: T 4.5/4.5/D1.0/25HRS (252305Z)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

G

REMARKS

G. Include information, as appropriate, on data type, eye characteristics, spiral rainbands,

unexpected changes in storm movement, departures from Dvorak (modeled) intensities,

etc.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

H

NADIR REFERENCE DISTANCE

H. Include crosstrack distance in degrees latitude between fix center and satellite nadir

subtrack.

Sample Entry: Center WAS 5.4 DEG EAST OF NADIR

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I

GALE WIND RADIUS ANALYSIS

I. Experimental gale wind (34kt) radius boundary utilizing image mapped SSM/I ocean

surface wind speed algorithm estimates.

Sample Entry: Gale Wind Radius Anal-Boundary Compass Points

DIR DIST-NM LAT LONG

1. N 140 29.4N 88.2W

2. NE 130 28.9N 86.6W

3. E 80 27.0N 86.7W

4. SE 65 26.2N 87.4W

5. S 65 25.9N 88.2W

6. SW 65 26.3N 89.3W

7. W 80 27.0N 89.7W

8. NW 95 28.5N 89.2W

Figure 6-2. Center fix data form and message format (satellite)
6-9

6.5. Satellites and Satellite Data Availability for the Current Hurricane Season. Table

6-2 lists satellite capabilities for the current hurricane season.

Table 6-2. Satellite and satellite data availability for the current hurricane season

SATELLITE TYPE OF DATA LOCAL TIME PRODUCTS

GOES-8

(on-orbit storage)

GOES-9

at 155°E

GOES-10

at 135°W

GOES-11

(on-orbit storage)

GOES-12

at 75°W

Multispectral Imager

and Sounder

5 Channels for

Imager

19 Channels for

Sounder

Every 30 min, in

Routine Scan Mode,

provides 3 sectors

with prescribed

coverages: Northern

Hemisphere (NH) or

Extended NH;

CONUS or PACUS;

and Southern

Hemisphere. 

Exception is

transmission of full

disk every 3 hours. 

(Available Rapid

Scan Operations

yield increased

transmissions to 7.5

minute intervals to

capture rapidly

changing, dynamic

weather events).

1. 1, 2, 4, and 8 km

resolution visible standard

sectors.

2. 4 km equivalent resolution

IR sectors.

3. Equivalent and full

resolution IR enhanced

imagery.

4. Full disk IR every 3 hours.

5. 8 km water vapor

sectors.(4 km on GOES-12)

6. Quantitative precipitation

estimates; high density cloud

and water vapor motion wind

vectors; and experimental

visible and sounder winds.

7. Operational moisture

sounder data (precipitable

water) in four levels for

inclusion in NCEP numerical

models. Other sounder

products including gradient

winds, vertical temperature

and moisture profiles, midlevel winds, and derived

product imagery (precipitable

water, lifted index, and

surface skin temperature). 

8. Tropical storm monitoring

and derivation of intensity

analysis. 

9. Volcanic ash monitoring

and dissemination of Volcanic

Ash Advisory Statements.

10. Daily northern

hemisphere snow cover

analysis.

11. Twice daily fire and

smoke analysis over specific

areas within CONUS. 
6-10

Table 6-2. Satellite and satellite data availability for the current hurricane season

(continued)

SATELLITE TYPE OF DATA LOCAL TIME PRODUCTS

METEOSAT-7 Multi-spectral

Spin-Scan

Radiometer

Full disk image every

half hour

1. 2.5 km resolution digital

VIS imagery; 5 km resolution

digital 

IR imagery.

2. 5 km resolution VIS and

IR WEFAX imagery.

3. 5 km water vapor imagery.

4. Tropical storm monitoring

and derivation of intensity

analysis.

METEOSAT-8 Multi-spectral

Spin-Scan

Radiometer

Full disk image every

15 minutes.

1. 1 km resolution digital VIS

imagery; 3 km resolution

digital IR imagery.

2. 3 km resolution VIS and IR

WEFAX imagery.

3. 3 km water vapor imagery.

4. Tropical storm monitoring

and derivation of intensity

analysis.
Table 6-2. Satellite and satellite data availability for the current hurricane season

(continued)

SATELLITE TYPE OF DATA LOCAL TIME PRODUCTS

1

 D - descending

2

 A - ascending

6-11

NOAA-17

NOAA-16

AVHRR; GAC and

LAC (recorded);

HRPT (direct);

AMSU; HIRS

0214D1

/1414A2

1021D/2221A

1. 1 km resolution HRPT and

Local Area Coverage (LAC)

data. 

2. 4 km resolution APT and

Global Area Coverage (GAC)

data.

3. Mapped imagery.

4. Unmapped imagery (all

data types) at DMSP sites.

5. Sea-surface temperature

analysis.

6. Soundings.

7. Moisture profiles.

8. Remapped GAC sectors.

9. Sounding-derived

products--total precipitable

water, rain rate, and surface

winds under sounding 

10. Daily northern

hemisphere snow cover

analysis.

11. Twice daily fire and

smoke analysis over specific

areas within CONUS. 
Table 6-2. Satellite and satellite data availability for the current hurricane season

(continued)

SATELLITE TYPE OF DATA LOCAL TIME PRODUCTS

6-12

DMSP F-12

DMSP F-13

DMSP F-14

DMSP F-15 

DMSP F-16

OLS Imagery (direct

only), SSM/I (nonfunctional), SSM/T1 (non-functional),

SSM/T-2 (direct

only)

OLS Imagery

(recorded and

direct), SSM/I,

SSM/T-1

OLS Imagery

(recorded and

direct), SSM/I,

SSM/T-1 (inop),

SSM/T-2

OLS Imagery

(recorded and

direct), SSM/I,

SSM/T-1, SSM/T-2

OLS Imagery

(recorded and

direct), SSM/I,

SSM/T-1, SSM/T-2

0615D/1815A

0624D/1824A

0752D/1952A

0924D/2124A

0754D/1954A

Note: Times are

accurate to

 +/- 5 minutes

1. 0.3 nm (regional) and 1.5

nm (global) resolution (visual

and infrared) imagery

available via stored data

recovery through AFWA.

2. Regional coverage at 0.3

nm and 1.5 nm resolution

(visual and infrared) imagery

available from numerous

DOD tactical terminals.

3. SSM/T-1, SSM/T-2,

SSM/I data transmitted to

NESDIS and FNMOC from

AFWA.
6-13

6.6. Current Intensity and Tropical Classification Number. The current intensity (C.I.) number

relates directly to the intensity of the storm. The empirical relationship between the C.I. number and

a storm's wind speed is shown in Table 6-3. The C.I. number is same as the tropical classification

number (T-number) during the development stages of a tropical cyclone but is held higher than the

T-number while a cyclone is weakening. This is done because a lag is often observed between the

time a storm pattern indicates weakening has begun and the time when the storm's intensity

decreases. An added benefit of this rule is the stability it adds to the analysis when short-period

fluctuations in the cloud pattern occur. In practice, the C.I. number is not lowered until the

T-number has shown weakening for 12 hours or more.

Table 6-3. The empirical relationship* between the C.I. number and the maximum wind speed

and the relationship between the T-number and the minimum sea-level pressure

 

C.I. NUMBER MAXIMUM T-NUMBER MINIMUM SEA-LEVEL PRESSURE 

 WIND SPEED (Atlantic) (NW Pacific)

 

1 25 kt 1

1.5 25 1.5

2 30 2 1009 hPa 1000 hPa

2.5 35 2.5 1005 997

3 45 3 1000 991

3.5 55 3.5 994 984

4 65 4 987 976

4.5 77 4.5 979 966

5 90 5 970 954

5.5 102 5.5 960 941

6 115 6 948 927

 6.5 127 6.5 935 914

7 140 7 921 898

 7.5 155 7.5 906 879

8 170 8 890 858

*Dvorak, V, 1984: Tropical Cyclone Intensity Analysis Using Satellite Data.

 NOAA Tech Report NESDIS 11, Washington, D.C.
7-1

CHAPTER 7

SURFACE RADAR REPORTING

7.1. General. Radar observations of tropical cyclones will be made at Department of Defense

(DOD), National Weather Service (NWS), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Weather

Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) facilities. Participating radar sites are listed in Table

7-1. 

7.2. The WSR-88D. The WSR-88D is a computerized radar data collection and processing

system. The design and implementation of the WSR-88D was a joint effort of the DOD, NWS, and

FAA, and the utilization of the radar continues to be governed by tri-agency agreement. The WSR88D is an S-band (10-cm), coherent radar, with a nominal beam width of 1 degree. The maximum

data ranges are 248 n mi. (reflectivity) and 124 n mi. (velocity). Radar scanning strategies are

selectable, using predetermined volume coverage patterns (VCP). The VCP in use depends upon

which weather phenomena are under surveillance. Once the radar data has been collected, it is

processed automatically at the radar site by a suite of algorithms which provide graphical products

for forecaster use. TPC/NHC, as an external user, obtains these products through a dial-up

connection. CPHC controls and operates four WSR-88Ds in Hawaii and obtains products directly.

7.3. Procedures. As a tropical cyclone approaches, TPC/NHC uses the WSR-88D to perform

radar center-fixing and to obtain other diagnostic information. Therefore, it is important to optimize

WSR-88D performance for tropical cyclones and to allow other users, especially the TPC/NHC,

access to radar products in the area of landfall. Most of the changes must be issued through the

Master System Control Function (MSCF), Human Computer Interface (HCI). To facilitate this

process, TPC/NHC in cooperation with the Radar Operations Center (ROC) has developed an

operations plan for use during tropical cyclone events. The current tropical cyclone operations plan

is available as a sub-link to the National Hurricane Operations Plan on the OFCM web site at

http://www.ofcm.gov/homepage/text/pubs.htm. It is also available via fax from the ROC Hotline

(1-800- 643-3363).

7.3.1. Radar Observation Requirements, WSR-88D. Chief among the requirements is the

appropriate display of hurricane-force winds. Changes must be made at the radar site, guided by the

WSR-88D Tropical Cyclone Operations Plan, in order to deal effectively with hurricane conditions.

The physical characteristics of the tropical cyclone are best represented by use of the precipitation

mode, usually VCP 11 or 21, depending upon range. Radar characteristics of hurricanes are given

in Federal Meteorological Handbook Number 11 (FMH-11), Part B, Chapter 9. Further discussion

of product usage appears in FMH-11, Part D, Unit Description and Operational Applications. A

recommended product list appears in FMH-11 Part D, Application versus Product Table 4-1.
1

The criterion for selection is that the radar site lie within approximately 124 n mi

(maximum velocity range) of the coastline.

7-2

Table 7-1. Participating radar stations1

LOCATION RADAR TYPE LATITUDE LONGITUDE

 

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADARS

U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coast

Albany, NY WSR-88D 42°35' N 74°04' W

Atlanta, GA WSR-88D 33°22' N 84°34' W

Binghamton, NY WSR-88D 42°12' N 75°59' W

Birmingham, AL WSR-88D 33°10' N 86°46' W

Boston, MA WSR-88D 41°57' N 71°08' W

Brandon/Jackson, MS WSR-88D 32°17' N 89°59' W

Brownsville, TX WSR-88D 25°55' N 97°25' W

Caribou, ME WSR-88D 46°02' N 67°48' W

Charleston, SC WSR-88D 32°33' N 80°47' W

Columbia, SC WSR-88D 32°39' N 81°03' W

Corpus Christi, TX WSR-88D 27°47' N 97°31' W

Ft. Worth, TX WSR-88D 32°34' N 97°18' W

Greer, SC WSR-88D 34°53' N 82°13' W

Houston, TX WSR-88D 29°28' N 95°05' W

Huntsville/Hytop, AL WSR-88D 34°56' N 86°05' W

Jacksonville, FL WSR-88D 30°29' N 81°42' W

Key West, FL WSR-88D 24°36' N 81°42' W

Lake Charles, LA WSR-88D 30°07' N 93°13' W

Melbourne, FL WSR-88D 28°07' N 80°39' W

Miami, FL WSR-88D 25°37' N 80°25' W

Mobile, AL WSR-88D 30°41' N 88°15' W

Morehead City, NC WSR-88D 34°46' N 76°53' W

New Orleans/Baton Rouge LA WSR-88D 30°20' N 89°50' W

New York City, NY WSR-88D 40°52' N 72°52' W

Philadelphia, PA WSR-88D 39°57' N 74°25' W

Portland, ME WSR-88D 43°53' N 70°15' W

Raleigh/Durham, NC WSR-88D 35°40' N 78°29' W

Roanoke, VA WSR-88D 37°01' N 80°16' W

San Antonio, TX WSR-88D 30°43' N 97°23' W

Shreveport, LA WSR-88D 32°27' N 93°50' W

State College, PA WSR-88D 40°55' N 78°00' W

Sterling, VA WSR-88D 38°58' N 77°29' W

Tallahassee, FL WSR-88D 30°24' N 84°20' W

Tampa, FL WSR-88D 27°42' N 82°24' W

Wakefield, VA WSR-88D 36°59' N 77°00' W

Wilmington, NC WSR-88D 33°59' N 78°26' W
7-3

 

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADARS

U.S. Southwest

Phoenix, AZ WSR-88D 33°17' N 111°40' W

San Diego, CA WSR-88D 33°49' N 117°38' W

Tucson, AZ WSR-88D 31°57' N 110°54' W

Yuma, AZ WSR-88D 32°40' N 114°37' W

FAA RADARS

Molokai, HI WSR-88D 21°08'N 157°11'W

Kohala, HI WSR-88D 20°06'N 155°45'W

San Juan, PR WSR-88D 18°07'N 66°05'W

South Hawaii, HI WSR-88D 19°06'N 155°34'W

South Kauai, HI WSR-88D 21°54'N 159°33'W

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coast

Columbus AFB, MS WSR-88D 33°54'N 88°20'W

Dover AFB, DE WSR-88D 38°50'N 75°26'W

Eglin AFB, FL WSR-88D 30°34'N 85°55'W

Fort Hood, TX WSR-88D 30°43'N 97°23'W

Fort Polk, LA WSR-88D 31°09'N 92°58'W

Fort Rucker, AL WSR-88D 31°28'N 85°28'W

Maxwell AFB, AL WSR-88D 32°32'N 85°47'W

Moody AFB, GA WSR-88D 30°33'N 83°00'W

Robins AFB, GA WSR-88D 32°40'N 83°21'W

 (NHC has dial-in access to the above DOD sites.)
7-4

7.3.2. Central Region Report. The following fix definitions and criteria are used in

reporting WSR-88D tropical cyclone radar observations:

• If the central region of a storm is defined by an identifiable circular, or nearly circular,

wall cloud with an echo-free center, the fix (the geometric center) is reported as an

"EYE".

• If the central region is recognizable, but not well-defined by a wall cloud (as in the

case of a tropical storm), it is reported as a "CENTER."

• When the eye or center is only occasionally recognizable or some other central region

uncertainty exists, the eye or center is reported as "PSBL EYE" or "PSBL

CENTER."

• Remarks stating the degree of confidence will be included and will be classified as

either "good," "fair," or "poor." If an eye is present, a "good" fix is reported when the

eye is symmetrical--virtually surrounded by wall cloud; a "poor" fix is reported when

the eye is asymmetrical--less than 50 percent surrounded by wall cloud; a "fair" fix

is reported to express a degree of confidence between "good" and "poor." Note that

a partial eyewall may be the result of excessive range from the radar, or represent the

true structure of the system. Doppler velocities will, in general, increase confidence

in the center position and, if available, should always be examined prior to

establishing a fix.

7.3.3. Transmission of Radar Reports. When the tropical cyclone is within 200 n mi of a

WSR-88D, and the center fix is considered reliable, the appropriate tropical cyclone warning center

(TPC/NHC or CPHC) may issue a tropical cyclone position estimate (AFOS category TCE) between

2-hourly intermediate advisories. Note that although the issuance of this product depends upon the

quality of the radar fix, other data sources such as aircraft reconnaissance may be blended with the

radar estimate to obtain a position. Thus, a radar position established on one particular radar may

appear to disagree with the TCE position, but has in fact been taken into consideration.

In the case of communications failure, and the event that TPC/NHC cannot obtain the

necessary radar data, the local NWS Weather Forecast Office may be called upon to estimate the

radar position and render qualitative assessment of the circulation. 

Other radar facilities not having weather transmission capability but wishing to provide

information deemed important, should call the nearest NWS Weather Forecast Office or the

TPC/NHC. 
8-1

CHAPTER 8 

NATIONAL DATA BUOY CAPABILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS 

8.1. General.

8.1.1. Automated Reporting Stations. The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) maintains

automated reporting stations in the Gulf of Mexico, in coastal areas and deep ocean of the Atlantic

and Pacific Oceans, and in the Great Lakes. These data acquisition systems collect real-time

meteorological and oceanographic measurements for operations and research purposes. Moored

buoy station locations and configurations are given in Table 8-1. The locations of Coastal-Marine

Automated Network (C-MAN) stations are listed in Table 8-2. Consult NDBC’s web page at

www.ndbc.noaa.gov to view the station locations and latest station operating status, and for sitespecific information. Specific questions may be addressed to NDBC Observing Systems Branch,

Stennis Space Center, Mississippi 39529-6000, phone 228-688-3134.

8.1.2. Data Acquisition. Moored buoy and C-MAN stations routinely acquire, store, and

transmit data every hour; a few selected stations report more frequently. Data obtained operationally

include sea level pressure, wind speed and direction, peak wind, and air temperature. Sea surface

temperature and wave spectra data are measured by all moored buoys and a limited number of

C-MAN stations. Relative humidity is measured at several stations. Ocean currents and salinity are

measured at a few coastal stations.

NDBC acquires, encodes, and distributes data from regional coastal ocean observing

systems which is distributed to customers via NWS dissemination systems. Data from participating

regional observing systems pass through NDBC data quality control procedures prior to NWS

dissemination. Information on these systems may be obtained from their respective web sites that

are linked to www.ndbc.noaa.gov.

8.1.3. Drifting Buoys. 

8.1.3.1. NDBC. NDBC is capable of acquiring, preparing, and deploying drifting

buoys; however, an operational drifting buoy requirement has not been identified or funded.

8.1.3.2. Navy. Since 1998, the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) has

deployed meteorological drifting buoys to report surface meteorological and oceanographic

measurements, for operational purposes, as tropical systems move through data sparse regions

tracking toward the U.S. East Coast. Additionally, Navy drifting buoys have been deployed in the

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The drifting buoy measurements, which are available to

tropical forecasters, provide invaluable input for defining tropical storm movement and intensity,

improve forecast model initialization, and give tropical forecasters a much better sense of storm

characteristics and track as they approach the fleet concentration areas of Jacksonville, FL, and

Norfolk, VA. Drifting buoys typically have a life span of 1 to 2 years, and the data are available
8-2

through the NAVOCEANO homepage and through standard World Meteorological Organization

(WMO) data sources.

 NAVOCEANO acquires, prepares, and deploys drifting meteorological buoys based on

operational requirements identified by Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT).

Currently, CINCLANTFLT has identified the Navy’s drifting buoy support as a standing

requirement to support fleet safety, assist in fleet sortie decisions, and enhance tropical weather

preparedness. 

8.2. Requests for Drifting Buoy Deployment. Drifting buoy deployments should be coordinated

through the Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

(NOAA). They will request deployment, through the Office of the Federal Coordinator for

Meteorology (OFCM), by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (53 WRS) via HQ Air Force

Reserve Command (AFRC). Deployments in advance of a U.S. land-threatening hurricane require

a 36- to 48-hour notification.

8.2.1. Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center (TPC/NHC). TPC/NHC

forecasters will issue through the Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day (TCPOD) an alert or outlook

for drifting buoy deployment 48 hours before the planned deployment. Hard tasking for the

deployment will be issued 14 hours before the event via the TCPOD.

8.2.2. Deployment of Buoys. DOC may request the deployment of a drifting buoy and

subsurface float array with up to 40 elements at a distance of 200 to 400 nm from the storm center,

depending on the dynamics of the storm system. DOC will ensure the buoys and mission-related

DOC personnel are available for pickup by AFRC aircraft. The specific DOC request for placement

of the buoys will depend on several factors, including:

• Characteristics of the storm, including size, intensity, and velocity.

• Storm position relative to the coast and population centers.

• Availability of aircraft and dropsonde operators (DSO) certified for buoy

deployment.

8.2.3. Deployment Position. The final deployment position will be provided before the

flight crew briefing. An example of a possible buoy and float deployment pattern from the recent

CLBAST Experiment is shown in Figure 8-1.

8.3. Communications. Moored buoy and C-MAN data are transmitted via NOAA Geostationary

Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and

Information Service (NESDIS) and then are relayed to the NWS Telecommunications Gateway

(NWSTG) for processing and dissemination. Moored buoy observations are formatted into the

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) FM13-IX SHIP code. The SHIP code is defined in

Federal Meteorological Handbook 2, Surface Synoptic Codes. C-MAN measurements are formatted

into C-MAN code, which is very similar to the WMO FM12-IX SYNOP code. Code forms are

shown in Table 8-3. The C-MAN code is contained in the C-MAN Users’ Guide, which is available
8-3

from NDBC. Drifting buoy data are sent through the NOAA Polar Orbiting Environmental

Satellites (POES) to the U.S. Argos Global Processing Center, Largo, MD. Service Argos processes

and formats the data into WMO FM18 BUOY code defined in the WMO Manual on Codes, Volume

I. The messages are routed to the NWSTG for distribution.

Table 8-1. Moored buoy locations and configurations

SITE STATION ID LOCATION

HULL SIZE

(m)

ANEMOMETER HEIGHT

(m)

GULF OF MEXICO 42001 25.9° N., 89.7° W. 10 10

42002 25.2° N., 94.4° W. 10 10

42003 26.0° N., 85.9° W. 10 10

42007 30.1° N., 88.8° W. 3 5

42019 27.9° N., 95.4° W. 3 5

42020 26.9° N., 96.7° W. 3 5

42035 29.2° N., 94.4° W. 3 5

42036 28.5° N., 84.5° W. 3 5

420391 28.8° N., 86.0° W. 3 5

420401 29.2° N, 88.2° W. 3 5

42041 27.5° N, 90.5° W. 3 5

ATLANTIC OCEAN 41001 34.7° N., 72.7° W. 6 5

41002 32.3° N., 75.4° W. 6 5

41004 32.5° N., 79.1° W. 3 5

41008 31.4° N., 80.9° W. 3 5

410091 28.5° N., 80.2° W. 3 5

410101 28.9° N., 78.5° W. 6 5

41012 30.0°N, 80.60°W. 3 5

41013 33.5° N, 77.6 °W. 3 5

41025 35.2° N, 75.3 °W. 3 5

44004 38.5° N., 70.5° W. 6 5

44005 42.9° N., 69.2° W. 6 5

44007 43.5° N., 70.1° W. 3 5

44008 40.5° N., 69.4° W. 3 5

44009 38.5° N., 74.7° W. 3 5

44011 41.1° N., 66.6° W. 6 5

44013 42.4° N., 70.7° W. 3 5

440141 36.6° N., 74.8° W. 3 5

44017 40.7°N., 72.0° W. 3 5

44018 41.3°N., 69.2°W. 3 5

44025 40.3° N., 73.2° W. 3 5

44027 44.3° N, 67.3° W 3 5

PACIFIC OCEAN

(BETWEEN 10°N. 

AND 40°N.)

46002 42.5° N., 130.3° W. 6 5

46011 34.9° N., 120.9° W. 3 5

46012 37.4° N., 122.9° W. 3 5

46013 38.2° N., 123.3° W. 3 5

46014 39.2° N., 124.0° W. 3 5

460231 34.7° N., 121.0° W. 10 10

46025 33.8° N., 119.1° W. 3 5

46026 37.8° N., 122.8° W. 3 5

46028 35.7° N., 121.9° W. 3 5

46042 36.8° N., 122.4° W. 3 5

46047 32.4° N., 119.5° W. 3 5

46053 34.2° N., 119.8° W. 3 5

460541 34.3° N., 120.4° W. 10 10

46059 38.0° N., 130.0° W. 6 5
8-4

continued

PACIFIC OCEAN

(BETWEEN 10°N. 

AND 40°N.)

460621 35.1° N., 121.0° W. 3 5

46063 34.3° N., 120.7° W. 6 5

46069 33.6° N., 120.2° W. 3 5

46086 32.5° N., 118.0° W. 3 5

51001 23.4° N., 162.2° W. 6 6

51002 17.2° N., 157.8° W. 6 6

51003 19.2° N., 160.7° W. 6 6

51004

51028

17.5° N., 152.5° W.

0.0° N., 153.9° W.

6

3

5

5

1

Temporary site established with other special funding.

Table 8-2. C-MAN sites

SITE STATION ID LOCATION STATION NAME

GULF OF MEXICO BURL1 28.9° N., 89.4° W. Southwest Pass, LA

CDRF1 29.1° N., 83.0° W. Cedar Key, FL

DPIA1 30.3° N., 88.1° W. Dauphin Island, AL

DRYF1 24.6° N., 82.9° W. Dry Tortugas, FL

GDIL1 29.3° N., 90.0° W. Grand Isle, LA

KTNF1 29.8° N., 83.6° W. Keaton Beach, FL

LONF1 24.8° N., 80.9° W. Long Key, FL

PTAT2 27.8° N., 97.1° W. Port Aransas, TX

SGOF1 29.4° N., 84.9° W. Tydall AFB Tower C, FL

SRST2 29.7° N., 94.1° W. Sabine, TX

VENF1 27.1° N., 82.4° W. Venice, FL

ATLANTIC OCEAN ALSN6 40.5° N., 73.8° W. Ambrose Light, NY

BUZM3 41.4° N., 71.0° W. Buzzards Bay, MA

CHLV2 36.9° N., 75.7° W. Chesapeake Light, VA

CLKN7 34.6° N., 76.5° W. Cape Lookout, NC

DUCN7 36.2° N., 75.8° W. Duck Pier, NC

FBIS1 32.7° N., 79.9° W. Folly Island, SC

FPSN72 33.5° N., 77.6° W. Frying Pan Shoals, NC

FWYF1 25.6° N., 80.1° W. Fowey Rocks, FL

IOSN3 43.0° N., 70.6° W. Isle of Shoals, NH

LKWF1 26.6° N., 80.0° W. Lake Worth, FL

MDRM1 44.0° N., 68.1° W. Mt. Desert Rock, ME

MISM1 43.8° N., 68.9° W. Matinicus Rock, ME

MLRF1 25.0° N., 80.4° W. Molasses Reef, FL

SANF1 24.5° N., 81.9° W. Sand Key, FL

SAUF1 29.9° N., 81.3° W. St. Augustine, FL

SMKF1 24.6° N., 81.1° W. Sombrero Key, FL

SPGF1 26.7° N., 79.0° W. Settlement Point, GBI

TPLM2 38.9° N., 76.4° W. Thomas Point, MD

EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN

(SOUTH OF 45° N.)

CARO3 43.3° N., 124.4° W. Cape Arago, OR

NWPO3 44.6° N., 124.1° W. Newport, OR

PTAC1 39.0° N., 123.7° W. Point Arena, CA

PTGC1 34.6° N., 120.6° W. Point Arguello, CA 1

Temporary site established with other special funding. 2 Station will operate until platform fails; service visits discontinued due to condemnation of observing site
8-5

Figure 8-1. Example Buoy and Float Deployment Pattern
8-6

Table 8-3. Code forms for moored data buoys, C-MAN stations, and drifting buoys

FORM CODE

FM13IX (SHIP)

REPORT OF SYNOPTIC

SURFACE OBSERVATION

FROM A SEA STATION

(AUTOMATIC WEATHER

STATION)

Mi

MiMjMj A1bwnbnbnb YYGGiw 99LaLaLa QcLoLoLoLo

irix/// /ddff 1snTTT (2snTdTdTd) 3PoPoPoPo 4PPPP 5appp 9GGgg

222oo QssTwTwTw 1PwaPwaHwaHwa 7o HwaHwaHwa

333 912ff (oofff)

555 11fff 22fff (3GGgg 4ddfmfm)

(6GcGcgcgc d1d1d1f1f1f1 d6d6d6f6f6f6) d2d2d2f2f2f2 d3d3d3f3f3f3 d4d4d4f4f4f4 d5d5d5f5f5f5

U.S. NATIONAL

(C-MAN LAND STATION)

MODIFIED FM12-IX SYNOP

CMAN YYGGiw

XXXXnt iRixhVV Nddff (oofff) 1snTTT 2snTdTdTd 3PoPoPoPo 4PPPP

5appp 6RRRtR 9GGgg

222// osnTwTwTw 1waPwaPwaHwaHwa 7oHwaHwaHwa

333 912ff (oofff)

444 1PavPavPav /

555 11fff 22fff (3GGgg) (4ddfmfmfm)

(6GcGcgcgc d1d1d1f1f1f1 d6d6d6f6f6f6) d2d2d2f2f2f2 d3d3d3f3f3f3 d4d4d4f4f4f4 d5d5d5f5f5f5 (TIDE1111)

FM18 BUOY

REPORT OF A DRIFTING

BUOY OBSERVATION

ZZYY A1 bwnbnbnb YYMMJ GGggiw Qc LaLaLaLa LoLoLoLoLo 6Q1 Qt

 Od /

111QdQx Oddff (1SN TTT) [(2SNTdTdTd) or (29 uuu)] (3PoPoPoPo) (4PPPP) (5appp)

222QdQx (OsnTwTwTw) (1PwaPwaHwaHwa) (2OPwaPwaPwa) (21HwaHwaHwa)

333Qd1Qd2 (8887k2 2zozozozo 3ToToToTo 4SoSoSoSo

..... ..... .....

2znznznzn 3TnTnTnTn 4SnSnSnSn)

 (66k69k3 2zozozozo dodocococo

..... .....

2znznznzn dndncncncn)

444 (1QpQ2QTwQ4) (2QNQL//) [(QcLaLaLaLa LoLoLoLoLo or 

(YYMMJ GGgg/)] (8Vi

ViViVi) (91dZdZdZdZd)
9-1

CHAPTER 9 

MARINE WEATHER BROADCASTS 

9.1. General. The National Weather Service and the Department of Homeland Security’s United

States Coast Guard (USCG) broadcast forecast products that include information on tropical

cyclones issued by the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. The

broadcast of these products supports the U.S. participation in the Global Maritime Distress and

Safety System, which provides the communications support to the International Maritime

Organization's (IMO) global search and rescue plan. 

9.2. Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The goals of GMDSS are to

provide more effective and efficient emergency and safety communications, and to disseminate

maritime safety information to all ships on the world's oceans regardless of location or atmospheric

conditions. These goals are defined in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea

(SOLAS) 1974. GMDSS is based upon a combination of satellite and terrestrial radio services and

has changed international distress communications from being primarily ship-to-ship based to shipto-shore (rescue coordination center) based. GMDSS provides for automatic distress alerting and

locating, and requires ships to receive broadcasts of maritime safety information which could

prevent a distress from happening in the first place. The NWS participates directly in the GMDSS

by preparing weather forecasts and warnings for broadcast via two primary GMDSS systems--

NAVTEX and Inmarsat-C SafetyNET.

9.2.1. NAVTEX. NAVTEX is an international, automated system for instantly distributing

maritime navigational warnings, weather forecasts and warnings, search and rescue notices, and

similar information to ships. It has been designated by the IMO as the primary means for

transmitting coastal urgent marine safety information to ships worldwide. NAVTEX is broadcast

from the 12 USCG stations. Coverage is reasonably continuous along the east, west, and Gulf coasts

of the United States, as well as the area around Kodiak, Alaska, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Typical

NAVTEX transmissions range from 200-400 nm.

9.2.2. SafetyNET. Satellite systems operated by Inmarsat Ltd. are an important element

of the GMDSS. Inmarsat-C provides ship/shore, shore/ship, and ship/ship store-and-forward data

and telex messaging; the capability for sending preformatted messages to a rescue coordination

center; and the SafetyNET service. The Inmarsat-C SafetyNET service is a satellite-based

worldwide maritime safety information broadcast service of high seas weather warnings,

navigational warnings, radionavigation warnings, ice reports and warnings generated by USCGconducted International Ice Patrol, and other information not provided by NAVTEX.
9-2

9.3. Coastal Maritime Safety Broadcasts. In addition to NAVTEX, the USCG and other

government agencies broadcast maritime safety information, using a variety of different radio

systems to ensure coverage of different ocean areas for which the United States has responsibility

and to ensure all ships of every size and nationality can receive this vital safety information.

9.3.1. VHF Marine Radio. The USCG broadcasts nearshore and storm warnings of interest

to the mariner on VHF channel 22A (157.1 MHZ) following an initial call on the distress, safety,

and calling channel 16 (156.8 MHZ). Broadcasts are made from over 200 sites, covering the coastal

areas of the U.S., including the Great Lakes, major inland waterways, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii,

and Guam. All ships in U.S. waters over 20 meters in length are required to monitor VHF channel

16 and must have radios capable of tuning to the VHF simplex channel 22A. Typical coverage is

25 nm offshore.

9.3.2. Medium Frequency Radiotelephone (Voice). The USCG broadcasts offshore

forecasts and storm warnings of interest to mariners on 2670 kHz, after first being announced on the

distress, safety, and calling frequency 2182 kHz. 

9.3.3. NOAA Weather Radio. The NOAA Weather Radio network continually broadcasts

coastal and marine forecasts on frequencies near 162 MHZ. Recorded voice broadcasts have largely

been supplanted by a synthesized voice. The network provides near-continuous coverage of the

coastal U.S., Great Lakes, Hawaii, Guam, and the populated Alaska coastline. Typical coverage is

25 nm offshore.

9.4. High Seas Broadcasts. NWS high seas weather forecasts and warnings are also available on

the following high frequency (HF) broadcasts.

9.4.1. HF Radiotelephone (Voice). Weather forecasts and warnings for the high seas are

broadcast over scheduled HF radiotelephone channels from USCG communications stations using

a very distinctive and recognizable computer-synthesized voice. Limited offshore forecasts are also

available.

9.4.2. HF Radiofacsimile. The USCG broadcasts NWS high seas weather maps from five

communications stations--Boston, MA (NMF); Point Reyes, CA (NMC); New Orleans, LA (NMG),

Honolulu, HI (KVM-70) (a DOD station); and Kodiak, AK (NOJ). Limited satellite imagery, sea

surface temperature maps, and text forecasts are also available.

9.4.3. HF Radiotelex (HF SITOR). High seas forecasts in text format, recognized by the

GMDSS, are broadcast over scheduled GMDSS HF narrow-band direct printing channels from

USCG communications stations. Limited offshore forecasts are also available.

9.4.4. WWV, WWVH HF Voice (Time Tick). Atlantic high seas warnings are broadcast

at 7 and 8 minutes past the hour over WWV (Boulder, CO) on the following HF frequencies: 2.5,

5, 10, 15, and 20 MHZ; Pacific high seas warnings are broadcast at 9 minutes past the hour. Pacific
9-3

high seas warnings are broadcast from 48-51 minutes past the hour over WWVH (Honolulu, HI) at

2.5, 5, 10, and 15 MHZ. These are the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

standard time/frequency broadcasts. 

9.5. Additional Information. Further information concerning these and other marine broadcasts,

including schedules, frequencies, and links to products can be found at:

• www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/home.htm

• www.navcen.uscg.mil/marcomms/marcomms.htm

In addition, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Publication 117, Radionavigation

Aids, (http://pollux.nss.nima.mil/pubs/) contains detailed information on maritime safety

information broadcasts within the U.S. and worldwide. This publication is also available from the

Superintendent of Documents; it can be ordered by calling 1-202-512-1800 or by visiting their

Internet site at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

 
10-1

CHAPTER 10 

PUBLICITY 

10.1. News Media Releases. News media releases, other than warnings and advisories, for the

purpose of informing the public of the operational and research activities of the Departments of

Commerce, Defense, and Transportation should reflect the joint effort of these agencies by giving

due credit to the participation of other agencies. 

10.2. Distribution. Copies of these releases should be forwarded to the following agencies:

& NOAA Office of Public Affairs 

Herbert C. Hoover Building

14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.

Washington, DC 20230

& Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command 

1100 Balch Boulevard

Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-5005

& Hq Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC/PA) 

Robins AFB, GA 31093

& The Joint Chiefs of Staff (J3/JRC)

Washington, DC 20318-3000 

& Federal Aviation Administration (APA-310) 

800 Independence Avenue, S.W. 

Washington, DC 20591 

& Director, NOAA Aircraft Operations Center

P.O. Box 6829

MacDill AFB, FL 33608-0829

& Federal Coordinator for Meteorology 

Suite 1500, 8455 Colesville Road

Silver Spring, MD 20910 
A-1

APPENDIX A

LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) OFFICE PRODUCTS

A.1 Hurricane/Typhoon Local Statements (HLS). WFOs with coastal county responsibilities will

issue these unnumbered products which are very specific and designed to inform media, local

decision makers, and the public on present and anticipated storm effects in their county warning area

(CWA) and adjacent coastal waters. Keep HLSs as succinct as possible.

A.1.1 Mission Connection. Alert the public, media, and local decision makers of potential

or actual storm affects due to tropical cyclones. The product is intended to provide information to

assist in the preparation and implementation of necessary precautions for the protection of life and

property, as well as minimize the economic losses as a result of tropical cyclones.

A.1.2 Issuance Guidelines.

A.1.2.1 Creation Software. AWIPS.

A.1.2.2 Issuance Criteria. WFOs with coastal responsibility will issue an HLS when

its area of responsibility is affected by a tropical cyclone watch/warning or evacuation orders.

Coastal WFOs have the option as to which of their inland counties will be included in the HLS.

Inland WFOs will not issue HLSs. Inland offices though may need to issue an Inland Tropical

Storm/Hurricane Wind Watch or Warning. Refer to section A.3.

Coastal WFOs are defined as those having at least one county with significant tidal influences.

Coastal WFOs for the Eastern and Southern Regions are:

Eastern Region Southern Region

Caribou, ME Brownville, TX

Portland, ME Corpus Christi, TX

Boston, MA Houston/Galveston, TX

New York City, NY Lake Charles, LA

Philadelphia, PA New Orleans, LA

Baltimore, MD/Washington, DC Mobile, LA

Wakefield, VA Tallahassee, FL

Newport/Morehead City, NC Tampa Bay, FL

Wilmington, NC Miami, FL

Charleston, SC Key West, FL

Melbourne, FL

Jacksonville, FL

San Juan, PR
A-2

A.1.2.3 Issuance Times. When a tropical storm or hurricane is close to the coast,

issue HLSs every 2 to 3 hours or more frequently as circumstances warrant. Do not release HLSs

immediately before an advisory unless information is coordinated with the appropriate Tropical

Cyclone Center and, for watches or warnings, the valid initiation time is specified. HLSs do not

need to immediately follow the issuance of a new hurricane advisory. Issuing HLSs midway

between advisories maintains a steady flow of information to the media and the public. Whenever

a new advisory changes the potential impact on a local area, information needs to be distributed in

a fresh HLS as soon as possible. Routine HLSs may cease when the tropical cyclone is no longer

a threat to an office's CWA.

A.1.2.4 Valid Time. HLSs are valid at the time of issuance until a subsequent HLS

is issued which is at a minimum every 6 hours.

A.1.2.5 Product Expiration Time. Generally 6 hours after the issuance time and

should coincide with the next expected update or when the event is forecast to end.

A.1.3 Technical Description. HLSs will follow the format and content described in this

section.

A.1.3.1 UGC Type. HLSs will use the zone (Z) form of the UGC.

A.1.3.2 Mass News Disseminator (MND) Header. The HLS MND header product

type line is “(TROPICAL CYCLONE TYPE) LOCAL STATEMENT.”

A1.3.3 Content. HLSs will add localized details to Tropical Cyclone Center’s

advisory releases and should not conflict with or repeat advisory information not directly applicable

to the local office’s CWA. Before the first HLS, use public information statements (PNS) to inform

the public on routine hurricane preparedness information. The first HLS can also contain standard

preparedness messages. Information may be added to the end of the HLS describing where

additional storm information can be found in supporting Center’s TCP and TCM as well as PNSs

and NOWs (Short Term Forecast) issued by the local office.

HLSs should use tropical cyclone position estimates provided by their tropical cyclone center

between advisories when appropriate. When tropical cyclones threaten the Samoas (American

Samoa and Samoa), the two local offices will coordinate with RSMC Nadi, CPHC, and with each

other to determine the best integrated and internally consistent forecast of conditions expected in

the area.

The following table defines which products are issued via the normal suite of product headers

during tropical cyclone watches/warnings and those products superceded by tropical cyclone

watches/warnings and carried in a HLS. Severe thunderstorm warnings can be issued as stand-alone

products at the discretion of the WFO. However, their use should be confined to peripheral events,

such as outer rainbands, prior to sustained tropical storm or hurricane strength winds. Stand-alone
A-3

special marine warnings will only be issued for water spouts during tropical cyclone watch/warning

situations. If a coastal WFO decides to include their inland counties in the HLS, issue initial and

cancel inland tropical storm wind or inland hurricane wind watches/warnings as a stand-alone

product; however, subsequent updates will be carried within the body of the HLS. If a coastal WFO

decides to not include their inland counties in the HLS, they will issue all inland tropical storm wind

or inland hurricane wind watches/warnings as stand-alone NPW products.

HLS Product Table

Product Tropical Cyclone

 Watch/Warning

HLS Stand-alone

Flash Flood Watch/Warning/Statement X

Flood Warning X

Tornado Warning X

Inland Tropical Storm Wind or 

Inland Hurricane Wind Watch/Warning X1 X1

Severe Thunderstorm Warning X2

Coastal Flood Watch/Warning/Statement X

Special Marine Warning X3

Severe Weather Statement X2

Marine Weather Statement X3

Special Weather Statement X

Surf Zone Forecast/Surf Forecast X

High Surf Advisory/Warning (WFO Honolulu) X

1

 Reference paragraph A.1.3.3.

2

 Can be issued as a stand-alone product at discretion of forecast offices prior to the

 onset of sustained tropical storm or hurricane force winds. 

3

 For water spouts only, otherwise combine with HLS.

A.1.3.4 Format. Use the standardized format with “headlines by hazard.” As appropriate,

product header options are “Hurricane or Typhoon Local Statement,” “Tropical Storm Local

Statement,” or “Tropical Depression Local Statement.” Prepare each section of the HLS by a

content/topic header set off by three dots before and after each header. Prioritize and adjust the

order to focus on the greatest threat and the most important information impacting the area. 
A-4

A.1.4 Essential contents of Hurricane Local Statements:

...Headline...

Concise lead sentence or headline.

...Areas Affected...

Details of which counties, parishes, or cities are included in the HLS.

...Watches/Warnings...

Watches and warnings in effect and counties or parishes to which they apply. 

...Storm Information...

Present location, movement, and winds and expected time of onset of tropical storm/

hurricane/typhoon force winds. Give timing of impacts in ranges or general terms such as

“afternoon,” “evening,” and so on. Use the tropical cyclone forecast/advisory as guidance.

...Precautionary/Preparedness Actions...

Short-term precautionary actions and times they should be completed. 

This includes any evacuation recommendations contained in the advisory or stated by local

authorities. Listing these actions is particularly important once a tropical cyclone watch or

warning is announced.

...Storm Surge Flood and Storm Tide Impacts...

Storm surge and storm tide (storm surge plus astronomical tide) 

information, including times various heights are expected, present heights, and their

locations. Storm surge information must agree with Tropical Cyclone Center forecasts as

included in the advisories. Include storm tide information because local officials might not

have access to tide tables. Reference storm tide forecasts to appropriate datums understood

by local authorities. For many portions of the coast, this would be mean sea level although

some areas use mean lower low water.

...Wind Impacts...

Present winds and expected time of onset of tropical storm or hurricane force winds. (Use

the tropical cyclone forecast/advisory as guidance.)

...Other Impacts...(Substitute appropriate header to reflect most important threat)

Any required statements on potential tornado and flood/flash flood threats, rip currents,

beach erosion, high wind warnings inland, etc.

...Probability of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Conditions...

Information on probability of hurricane/typhoon/tropical storm conditions is optional.

...Next Update...

Time of next or final statement.
A-5

Wtaaii CCCC DDHHMM

HLSxxx 

stZXXX-XXX>XXX-DDHHMM-

(TROPICAL CYCLONE TYPE) LOCAL STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CITY, STATE

time am/pm time_zone day mon DD YYYY

...HEADLINE...

...Areas Affected...

...Watches/Warnings...

...Storm Information...

...Precautionary/Preparedness Actions...

...Storm Surge Flood and Storm Tide Impacts...

...Wind Impacts...

...Other Impacts...(Substitute appropriate header to reflect most important threat)

...Probability of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Conditions...

...Next Update...

$$

Figure A-1. Hurricane Local Statement Format

A.1.5 Relationship of HLSs to the NOW. The NOW is a stand-alone product focused

on conditions impacting the office’s CWA for the next 0 to 6 hours. It will complement the HLS

by providing critical storm information in the first eight lines.

A.2 Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings (TOR/FFW). Issue warnings when conditions warrant.

A.3 Inland Tropical Storm/Hurricane Wind Watch or Warning (NPW).

A.3.1 Mission Connection. Non-precipitation watches and warnings provide our customers

and partners advance notice of hazardous non-precipitation weather events which have the potential

to threaten life and property. 
A-6

A.3.2 Issuance Guidelines.

A.3.2.1 Creation Software. Use AWIPS Watch/Warning/Advisory software or other

text editors.

A.3.2.2 Issuance Criteria. For a watch, when conditions are favorable for a tropical

cyclone to spread tropical storm or hurricane force winds inland in the next 12 to 24 hours. For

a warning, tropical cyclone forecast to spread tropical storm or hurricane force winds inland.

A.3.2.3 Issuance Times. Event driven. 

A.3.2.4 Valid Time. Watch is valid 12-48 hour forecast time defined in the watch

headline. For a warning, valid time from the time of release to the 12-36 hour forecast expiration

time defined in the warning headline.

A.3.2.5 Product Expiration Time. Generally 6-8 hours after the issuance time and

should coincide with the next expected update or when the event is forecast to end.

A.3.3 Technical Description. NPWs will follow the format and content described in this

section.

A.3.3.1 UGC Type. NPWs will use the zone (Z) form of the UGC.

A.3.3.2 Mass News Disseminator Header. Not applicable.

A.3.3.3 Content. For coastal WFOs who include their inland counties under the HLS,

when a tropical cyclone is expected to remain at tropical storm or hurricane intensity inland, WFOs

will issue inland tropical storm or hurricane wind watches and warnings under the nonprecipitation weather product NPW. The NPW will be exclusively used for this product’s issuance

and cancellation. However, subsequent statements, such as updates, will be placed in the HLS. A

headline will be “Inland Tropical Storm Wind Watch (or Warning)” or “Inland Hurricane Wind

Watch (or Warning).” For coastal WFOs not including their inland counties in the HLS and for

inland WFOs, when a tropical cyclone is expected to remain at tropical storm or hurricane intensity

inland, issue inland tropical storm or hurricane wind watches and warnings under the nonprecipitation weather product NPW. When the effects of the tropical cyclone can be clearly

described to the public and not lead to confusion, inland sections of coastal counties may be placed

under inland tropical storm/hurricane wind watch or warning versus using tropical cyclone watches

or warnings. 

Watches should not normally be issued beyond the second period of the forecast or warnings beyond

the first period. Coordination will occur with all impacted offices and NHC before issuance. The

appropriate forecasts and statements will highlight watches and warnings. 
A-7

A.3.3.4 Format.

WWaaii CCCC DDHHMM

NPWxxx 

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CITY, STATE

time am/pm time_zone day mon DD YYYY

...<Overview headline statement>...

.<General non-precipitation weather synopsis>

stZXXX-XXX>XXX-DDHHMM-

...HEADLINE...

TEXT

$$

Figure A-2. Inland Wind NPW Product Format

A.4 Inland Tropical Storm/Hurricane Wind Watch or Warning for Subtropical Storms.

WFOs will issue an inland tropical storm wind watch or warning, or inland hurricane wind watch

or warning when a subtropical storm is expected to spread tropical storm or hurricane force winds

inland.

A.5 Post-Tropical Cyclone Reports (PSH). All WFOs issuing HLSs will prepare post-storm

reports. Inland offices issuing inland tropical storm/hurricane wind watches or warnings will also

submit reports. The appropriate regions will ensure tropical prediction centers obtain significant

information (e.g. deaths and damages) from WFOs not preparing formal post-storm reports.

A.5.1 Mission Connection. The PSH product is intended to provide the NHC, NWS

Headquarters, media, public and emergency management officials with a record of peak tropical

cyclone conditions. This data is then used to formulate other post-event reports, news articles and

historical records.

A.5.2 Issuance Guidelines.

A.5.2.1 Creation Software. AWIPS
A-8

A.5.2.2 Issuance Criteria. If HLSs are issued, a PSH will be issued.

A.5.2.3 Issuance Times. Transmit the reports within 5 days following the

transmission of the last HLS or inland tropical storm/hurricane wind watches or warnings

addressed to the appropriate Tropical Cyclone Center or National Center and a copy to Weather

Service Headquarters, W/OS21. Amend reports as needed.

A.5.2.4 Valid Times. Not applicable.

A.5.2.5 Product Expiration Time. Not applicable

A.5.3 Technical Description. 

A.5.3.1 UGC Type. Not applicable.

A.5.3.2 Mass News Disseminator Header. The PSH header block product type line

is “POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT...(TROPICAL CYCLONE TYPE).”

A.5.3.3 Content. Include the following items in the initial report and in any

subsequent updated reports:

• Wind data: Report highest 1-minute sustained surface wind speed (knots), peak gust

(knots), and date/times of occurrence in UTC. Specify anemometer height (feet) if

other than 33 feet and duration (minutes) if other than a 1-minute sustained average.

Report all NWS, DOD, and Federal Aviation Administration official observing sites

in a NWS office’s CWA including ASOS sites, all NOAA buoy and Coastal Marine

Automated Network (C-MAN) stations in the office’s CWA, and all other reliable

data collected by government sources or other institutions in the office’s CWA.

These include reports from stations maintained by the U. S. Coast Guard; state,

county, and local governments; universities; private companies; and experimental

networks. List adjusted speeds corrected for instrument type and speed range if

known. Data reports from the public are optional. However, NWS offices should

encourage these data and include them in the PSH when considered reliable.

• Pressure data: Report lowest sea level pressure (millibars), and date/time of

occurrence (UTC). Report data from all sources which provided wind data.

• Storm total rainfall: Report amount (inches) and duration (dates). In addition, list

maximum 1-, 6-, 12-, and 24-hour amounts (inches) identifying date/time (UTC) of

occurrence. Report data from all sources which provided wind data.

• Maximum storm tide heights: Reference storm tide to appropriate datums

understood by local authorities. For many portions of the coast, this would be

National Geodetic Vertical Datum although some areas use mean lower low water.
A-9

Report storm tide in feet above the datum, and storm surge in feet above the normal,

predicted (astronomical) tide level). Identify location and date/time (UTC) of

occurrence where possible.

• Extent of beach erosion: As appropriate.

• Flooding and/or flash flooding in CWA: Report to include date/times (UTC) and

locations of occurrence.

• Tornadoes in CWA: Report (times and locations).

• Storm effects: Such as deaths, injuries, dollar damages, number of people evacuated,

etc., within an office's CWA.

A.5.3.4 Format.

Ataa2i CCCC DDHHMM

PSHxxx 

POST TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT...(TROPICAL CYCLONE TYPE)

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CITY STATE

time am/pm time_zone day mon DD YYYY

Wind data

Pressure data

Storm total rainfall

Maximum storm tide heights

Extent of beach erosion

Flooding and/or flash flooding in CWA

Tornadoes in CWA

Storm effects

$$

Figure A-3. Post-Tropical Cyclone Report Format
A-10

A.6 Information for Service Assessments. WFOs will forward a copy of media reports, especially

newspaper clippings (online and printed) representative of the event and its impacts. Send reports

to the appropriate RH and TPC within 7 days following the issuance of the last product concerning

the storm. Reports do not have to include all interviews or radio or television spots concerning the

landfall event in each local office’s CWA. 

A.7 Local Storm Reports (LSR). WFOs will prepare these reports in accordance with LSR

instructions.

A.8 Correction Procedures. Tropical cyclone centers and WFOs should correct products using

the following format:

WTNT KNHC 161441 CCA

TCDAT1

TROPICAL STORM ARTHUR DISCUSSION NUMBER 8...CORRECTED

NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL

11 AM EDT TUE JULY 16 2002

CORRECTED FOR (GIVE REASON)

TEXT FOLLOWS....

CCA - If a second correction is necessary, the “A” becomes a “B” (CCB).

“CORRECTED FOR” is optional but encouraged.

A.9 Procedures for Populating WFO-Generated Wind Forecast Grids for Tropical Cyclone

Events. The following are short-term solutions to be followed by all impacted WFOs for populating

WFO wind grids for tropical cyclones. Updates to this directive will take place as better methods

for populating WFO-generated wind forecasts are integrated into the Interactive Forecast

Preparation System. Additional details regarding these procedures can be found in the Tropical

Cyclone Working Group for Populating WFO-Generated Wind Forecast Grids Team Decisions

paper issued by the Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services, Marine and Coastal Branch,

April, 2003.

A.9.1 Wind Speed Values Within the 34 kt Wind Radii

0-24 hours

Use wind forecast from the TCM (gridded if available) as guidance for locating the 34-, 50- and

64-kt wind radii to maintain synoptic consistency. Apply local knowledge and mesoscale

expertise to produce explicit/deterministic wind speed forecasts for all CWA/MAR grids using

a full continuum of values up to the maximum sustained wind value provided by tropical

cyclone centers.
A-11

25-36 hours

Use wind forecast from the TCM (gridded if available) as guidance for locating the 34-, 50- and

64-kt wind radii to maintain synoptic consistency. Apply local knowledge and mesoscale

expertise to produce explicit/deterministic wind speed forecasts for all CWA/MAR grids using

a full continuum of wind speeds up to 100 kts. For 101 kts and above use the capped value of

100 kts for grid points inside the 64 kt wind radii.

37-72 hours

Use wind forecast from the TCM (gridded if available) as guidance for locating the 34 kt and

50 kt wind radii to maintain synoptic consistency. Apply local knowledge to produce explicit/

deterministic wind speed forecasts for all CWA/MAR grids using a full continuum of wind

speeds up to 50 kts. For 50 kts and above use the capped value of 50 kts for grid points inside

the 50 kt wind radii.

73-120 hours

Use forecast from the TCM as guidance for locating the center positions to maintain synoptic

consistency. During Hurricane Hotline Conference Call coordinate the best means of

determining the 34 kt radii (extrapolation of 34 kt radii from 72 hour, model guidance,

coordination consensus, etc.). Apply local knowledge to produce explicit/deterministic wind

speed forecasts for all CWA/MAR grids using a full continuum of wind speeds up to 34 kts. 

For 34 kts and above use the capped value of 34 kts for grid points inside the 34 kt wind radii.

121-168 hours

Use traditional guidance and WFO discretion to produce explicit/deterministic wind speed

forecasts for all CWA/MAR grids using a full continuum of wind speeds up to 30 kts. The

choice for 30 kts avoids potential confusion which can result from the automated rounding of

33 kts to 35 kts when generating graphical wind barbs, and with associated textual formatters

which convert kts to miles per hour (then round to the nearest 5 mph). 

A.9.2 Wind Speed Values Outside the 34 kt Wind Radii

0-168 hours

Use deterministic wind speed values.

A.9.3 Wind Direction Values Inside or Outside the 34 kt Wind Radii

0-168 hours

Use deterministic wind direction values.

A.9.4 Wind Gust Values Inside or Outside the 34 kt Wind Radii. At this time there is no

 requirement to produce a gust grid this year over the marine zones. As an option, if a WFO desires

to produce a gust grid it will have to be created with little or no guidance. 

A.9.5 Caveat. It is highly recommended the following caveat be placed on all text and
A-12

graphical products...“Winds in and near tropical cyclones should be used with caution due to

uncertainty in forecast track, size, and intensity.”

A.10 Product Examples.

EXAMPLE: HURRICANE LOCAL STATEMENT

WTUS84 KCRP 151519

HLSCRP

TXZ230>234-241>247-151815-

HURRICANE LOCAL STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI TX

1019 AM CDT TUE JUL 15 2003

...HURRICANE CLAUDETTE MOVING ONTO THE MIDDLE TEXAS COAST

NEAR PORT O'CONNOR...

...A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM BAFFIN BAY TO HIGH

ISLAND...

...AREAS AFFECTED...

THIS STATEMENT RECOMMENDS ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY RESIDENTS IN

THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES OF ARANSAS...CALHOUN...KLEBERG...NUECES...

REFUGIO...SAN PATRICIO...BEE...GOLIAD...LIVE OAK...MCMULLEN...JIM

WELLS AND VICTORIA.

...WATCHES/WARNINGS...

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE TEXAS COAST FROM BAFFIN 

BAY TO HIGH ISLAND. AN INLAND TROPICAL STORM WIND WARNING IS IN 

EFFECT FOR BEE...GOLIAD...LIVE OAK...JIM WELLS...MCMULLEN AND 

VICTORIA COUNTIES FOR TODAY. AN INLAND TROPICAL STORM WIND 

WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR DUVAL AND LASALLE COUNTIES FOR TONIGHT. A 

FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR TODAY FOR THE COUNTIES OF 

ARANSAS...BEE...CALHOUN...GOLIAD...LIVE OAK...MCMULLEN...REFUGIO...

SAN PATRICIO AND VICTORIA.

...STORM INFORMATION...

AT 9 AM CDT...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE CLAUDETTE WAS LOCATED NEAR

LATITUDE 28.5 NORTH AND LONGITUDE 96.1 WEST...OR APPROXIMATELY 20

MILES EAST OF PORT O'CONNOR. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 80

MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. CLAUDETTE IS MOVING WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR

10 MPH. A CONTINUED MOVEMENT TOWARDS THE WEST-NORTHWEST IS

EXPECTED TODAY. GIVEN THIS FORECAST TRACK...THE EYE OF CLAUDETTE
A-13

IS EXPECTED TO MOVE ACROSS THE PORT OCONNOR TO PALACIOS AREA

AROUND 11 AM. WEAKENING IS EXPECTED AFTER THE EYE OF CLAUDETTE

MOVES INLAND.

...PRECAUTIONARY ACTIONS...

AS OF 1130 PM MONDAY EVENING...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS 

RECOMMENDED EVACUATIONS OF RESIDENTS OF ARANSAS COUNTY. 

ALSO...EVACUATIONS HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR RESIDENTS AND

NON-RESIDENTS OF PORT ARANSAS. NO OTHER EVACUATIONS HAVE BEEN

REPORTED TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AT THIS TIME. RESIDENTS

OF SOUTH TEXAS...ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE COASTAL COUNTIES

FROM KLEBERG TO CALHOUN...SHOULD COMPLETE ALL NECESSARY

ACTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY.

 ...STORM SURGE AND TIDE IMPACTS...

AT 9 AM CDT...TIDES WERE APPROXIMATELY 3.5 FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA

LEVEL AT BOBHALL PIER...AND 2.5 FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL AT PORT

OCONNOR. AS CLAUDETTE MOVES ACROSS THE COASTLINE...TIDES WILL

CONTINUE TO INCREASE...ESPECIALLY FROM ROCKPORT NORTHWARD.

TIDES ARE EXPECTED TO RISE TO BETWEEN 3 AND 4 FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA

LEVEL SOUTH OF ROCKPORT...AND 5 TO 6 FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL

BETWEEN ROCKPORT AND PORT OCONNOR BY THIS AFTERNOON.

AT 5 FEET MSL...WATER WILL FLOOD MANY STREETS IN

LAMAR...ROCKPORT...INGLESIDE...FULTON...ARANSAS PASS...PORT ARANSAS

AND PORT OCONNOR. WATER WILL REACH 1/4 MILE INLAND TO THE

SOUTHERN PART OF ROCKPORT. PORTIONS OF HIGHWAY 35 BETWEEN

ARANSAS PASS AND ROCKPORT WILL BE UNDER 1 FOOT OF WATER. ROADS

WEST OUT OF ROCKPORT WILL BE UNDER WATER. BEACH AND HARBOR

FACILITIES WILL BE FLOODED AT PORT ARANSAS. AT 4 FEET MSL...THE JFK

CAUSEWAY WILL HAVE AROUND 1 FOOT OF WATER OVER IT. THE T-HEADS

WILL BE FLOODED. FLOODING IS LIKELY ALONG HIGHWAY 35 FROM

ARANSAS PASS TO ROCKPORT. SOME FLOODING IS LIKELY ALONG

WATERFRONT FACILITIES AND ROADS THAT ARE NEAR THE WATER ALONG 

MANY COASTAL COMMUNITIES.

AT 3 FEET MSL...BEACH ROADS WILL BE FLOODED ON PADRE AND MUSTANG

ISLANDS. THE JFK CAUSEWAY WILL HAVE SOME WATER OVER IT BUT NOT

ENOUGH TO CLOSE IT DOWN. HIGH TIDES AT PORT ARANSAS OCCURRED AT

745 AM THIS MORNING AND WILL OCCUR AGAIN AT 817 AM ON WEDNESDAY. 

HIGH TIDES AT PORT OCONNOR WILL BE AT 259 PM THIS AFTERNOON AND

400 PM ON WEDNESDAY.
A-14

...WIND IMPACTS...

 AT 9 AM CDT...THE COAST GUARD REPORTED WINDS OF 30 TO 40 KNOTS 

FROM THE NORTHWEST AT PORT O'CONNOR. A MESONET SITE IN PORT

OCONNOR REPORTED A WIND GUST AT 75 MPH AT 940 AM. WINDS ACROSS

THE COASTAL WATERS FROM PORT O'CONNOR AND OUT TO 60 NAUTICAL

MILES EAST OF PORT OCONNOR...HAVE INCREASED TO HURRICANE FORCE

THIS MORNING.

WINDS OVER INLAND LOCATIONS FROM ROCKPORT TO VICTORIA ARE

 NORTH-NORTHWEST AROUND 25 TO 35 MPH. AS CLAUDETTE CONTINUES TO 

MOVE INLAND...WINDS WILL GRADUALLY INCREASE ACROSS THE ENTIRE

AREA FROM EAST TO WEST.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO SPREAD ACROSS THE

REMAINDER OF THE COASTAL WATERS...PRIMARILY EAST OF PORT

ARANSAS...THIS MORNING. WINDS GUSTING TO HURRICANE FORCE WILL

MOVE INTO REFUGIO AND ARANSAS COUNTIES AROUND 11 AM CDT. THE

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS WILL ADVANCE SOUTHWEST DOWN THE

COAST WITH TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ENTERING THE COASTAL BEND

NEAR CORPUS CHRISTI AROUND NOON. WIND GUSTS TO HURRICANE FORCE

COULD OCCUR THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING NEAR CORPUS CHRISTI AND

REDFISH BAYS AND THE ADJACENT LAND AREAS.

...SEAS AND RIP CURRENTS...

AT 9 AM CDT...SEAS WERE AVERAGING AROUND 8 TO 10 FEET OUT TO

AROUND20 NAUTICAL MILES...14 TO 18 FEET BEYOND 20 NAUTICAL MILES. 

AS CLAUDETTE MAKES LANDFALL...SEAS WILL INCREASE TO 12 TO 17 FEET

OUT TO 20 NAUTICAL MILES...15 TO 20 FEET BEYOND 20 NAUTICAL MILES 

OFFSHORE THIS MORNING. THESE LARGE SEAS WILL CONTINUE TO

PRODUCE VERY ROUGH SURF AND DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS ACROSS ALL

OF THE SOUTH TEXAS BEACHES. ENTERING THE SURF IS STRONGLY

DISCOURAGED THROUGH AT LEAST WEDNESDAY.

...FLOOD IMPACTS...

HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ACCOMPANY CLAUDETTE LATER THIS MORNING

INTO THIS EVENING. THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAIN SHOULD

BE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY. TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS

OF 5 TO 8 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE MAINLY TO THE NORTH OF A ROCKPORT

TO ENCINAL LINE...WITH 2 TO 4 INCHES POSSIBLE TO THE SOUTH OF THIS

LINE. THESE RAINFALL AMOUNTS MAY NEED TO BE REVISED IF THE

FORECAST TRACK CHANGES. THIS AMOUNT OF RAINFALL WILL HAVE THE

POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE FLOODING OVER THE NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE

COASTAL BEND AND RIO GRANDE PLAINS AREA.
A-15

...NEXT UPDATE...

THE NEXT SCHEDULED STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 1 PM.

$$

EXAMPLE: SHORT TERM FORECAST (NOWcast)

FPUS71 KMOB 192130

NOWMOB

SHORT TERM FORECAST

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL

430 PM CDT SAT AUG 19 1995

ALZ051>064-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-192330-

.NOW...

...HURRICANE GARY WILL MOVE ACROSS BALDWIN AND MOBILE COUNTIES

BY 530 PM... SUSTAINED WINDS ABOVE 80 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS AND

TORRENTIAL RAINFALL CAN BE EXPECTED AS THE RAIN BAND MOVES

ACROSS. THE RAIN BAND SHOULD WEAKEN SLIGHTLY AS IT MOVES ACROSS

CLARKE...WASHINGTON...AND GEORGE COUNTIES BY 6 PM. BUT PEOPLE IN

THESE COUNTIES SHOULD EXPECT WIND GUSTS TO NEAR HURRICANE FORCE

AND EXTREMELY HEAVY RAINFALL.

&&

SCATTERED AREAS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CONTINUE

ACROSS SOUTHERN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI THROUGH 6 PM. BANDS OF

STRONG STORMS WILL MOVE NORTHWESTWARD ACROSS THE AREA. EAST

WINDS OF 30-40 MPH AND HEAVY RAIN WILL PERSIST WITH STRONGER

WINDS AND HEAVIER RAINFALL NEAR THE RAIN BANDS. TEMPERATURES

ACROSS THE REGION WILL REMAIN IN THE 70S.

EXAMPLE: INLAND HURRICANE WIND WARNING

WWUS45 KHGX 101030 

NPWHOU

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON-GALVESTON TX

600 AM CDT FRI SEP 10 1995

...AN INLAND HURRICANE WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEAST 

TEXAS...
A-16

HURRICANE FRED...LOCATED 60 MILES SOUTHEAST OF GALVESTON TX AT 6

AM CDT...IS MOVING TO THE NORTH NORTHWEST AT 10 MPH AND IS

EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL AROUND NOON CDT ON THE UPPER TEXAS

COAST. FRED IS THEN FORECAST TO CONTINUE ON A NORTH NORTHWEST

COURSE MOVING ACROSS HOUSTON AND REACHING THE SAN JACINTO

NATIONAL FOREST BY LATE AFTERNOON. SUSTAINED WINDS OF 100 MPH

WITH GUSTS TO 120 MPH SHOULD BEGIN SWEEPING ACROSS THE UPPER

TEXAS COAST BY LATE MORNING.

TXZ177>179-197>199-210>212-102200- 

WALKER-SAN JACINTO-POLK-WASHINGTON-GRIMES-MONTGOMERYCOLORADO-AUSTIN-WALLER-

 ...INLAND HURRICANE WIND WARNING...

WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY INCREASE TO 50 TO 60 MPH BY 12 NOON

AND 80 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 100 MPH BY MID AFTERNOON. 75 MPH WINDS

WITH HIGHER GUSTS ARE LIKELY AS FAR INLAND AS

HUNTSVILLE...NAVASOTA...AND LAKE LIVINGSTON BY LATE AFTERNOON.

BE PREPARED FOR NUMEROUS DOWNED TREES AND WIRES. DO NOT CROSS

DOWNED WIRES...WHICH MAY STILL BE LIVE. 

$$

TXZ226-227-235-213-200-102200-

WHARTON-FORT BEND-JACKSON-HARRIS-LIBERTY-

...INLAND HURRICANE WIND WARNING...

WINDS FROM WHARTON TO HOUSTON AND LIBERTY ARE EXPECTED TO

INCREASE TO 50 TO 60 MPH THIS MORNING AND 90 MPH WITH GUSTS TO

NEAR 110 MPH BY MIDDAY...DECREASING TO 50 TO 60 MPH LATE THIS

AFTERNOON.

FLYING DEBRIS WILL POSE A MAJOR THREAT TO ALL STRUCTURES IN THE

WARNED AREA...ESPECIALLY GLASS FROM HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS IN

DOWNTOWN HOUSTON. PEOPLE LIVING IN MOBILE HOMES AND THOSE

CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABILITY OF THEIR HOMES TO WITHSTAND

HURRICANE WINDS SHOULD MOVE TO A STRONG BUILDING OR SHELTER

IMMEDIATELY. BE PREPARED FOR NUMEROUS DOWNED TREES AND WIRES.

TAKE SHELTER IN SMALL INTERIOR ROOMS OR REINFORCED STRUCTURES.

$$
A-17

EXAMPLE: POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT

ACUS71 KNEW 032226

PSHNEW

POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW ORLEANS LA

500 PM CDT MON SEP 3 1992

A. HIGHEST WINDS...

NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...

1 - MINUTE 39 KNOTS FROM 150 DEGREES 0950 UTC AUG 26 1992

PEAK GUST 72 KNOTS FROM 020 DEGREES AT 0728 UTC AUG 26 1992

P92 AMOS LOCATED AT SALT POINT, ST. MARY PARISH 19.5N 91.3W

...ETC

B. LOWEST PRESSURE...

LOWEST PRESSURE NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - 960.1 MB

AT

0805 UTC AUG 26 1992

...ETC

C. RAINFALL...

NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

STORM TOTAL 5.70 IN. AUG 25-26 1992

1 HOUR TOTAL 0.89 IN. 0800-0900 UTC 26 AUG 1992

...ETC

D. STORM TIDES...

MARINA 4.28 2100 UTC AUG 26 1992

N END OF CAUSEWAY 4.94 1100 UTC AUG 26 1992

...ETC

E. BEACH EROSION...

LEVEL OF EROSION PRESENTLY UNKNOWN

...ETC
A-18

F. FLOODING...

STORM TIDE FLOODING TO THE ENTIRE LOUISIANA COAST FROM LAKE

BORGNE WEST TO VERMILION BAY...ETC

G. TORNADOES...

F3 TORNADO FROM LA PLACE TO RESERVE IN ST JOHN THE BAPTIST

PARISH...ETC

H. STORM EFFECTS...

TORNADO 2 DEAD 32 INJURED

HURRICANE 4 DEAD UNKNOWN 2 MISSING

AN ESTIMATED ONE AND ONE QUARTER MILLION PEOPLE EVACUATED

ACROSS SOUTHEAST AND SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA...ETC
B-1

APPENDIX B

DEFINING POINTS FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE WATCHES/WARNINGS

La Pesca, MX 23.76°N 97.78°W

Rio San Fernando, MX 25.00°N 97.60°W

Brownsville, TX

Brownsville, TX 25.95°N 97.16°W

Port Mansfield, TX 26.59°N 97.29°W

Baffin Bay, TX 27.29°N 97.37°W

Corpus Christi, TX

Baffin Bay, TX 27.29°N 97.37°W

Corpus Christi, TX 27.67°N

97.19°W

Port Aransas, TX 27.83°N 97.08°W

Port O’Connor, TX 28.40°N 96.39°W

Houston, TX

Port O’Connor, TX 28.40°N 96.39°W

Matagorda, TX 28.63°N 95.93°W

Sargent, TX 28.75°N 95.60°W

Freeport, TX 28.93°N 95.33°W

San Luis Pass, TX 29.08°N 95.13°W

High Island, TX 29.57°N 94.39°W

Lake Charles, LA

High Island, TX 29.57°N 94.39°W

Sabine Pass, TX 29.71°N 93.85°W

Cameron, LA 29.80°N 93.30°W

Intracoastal City, LA 29.62°N 92.04°W

Morgan City, LA 29.49°N 91.29°W

New Orleans, LA

Morgan City, LA 29.49°N 91.29°W

Grand Isle, LA 29.25°N 89.96°W

Mouth of Mississippi

 River, LA 29.12°N 89.11°W

Mouth of Pearl

 River, LA 30.15°N 89.60°W

Pascagoula, MS 30.37°N 88.55°W

Mobile, AL

Pascagoula, MS 30.37°N 88.55°W

MS/AL Border 30.40°N 88.40°W

AL/FL Border 30.28°N 87.50°W

Fort Walton Beach, FL 30.41°N 86.62°W

Destin, FL 30.39°N 86.50°W

Tallahassee, FL

Destin, FL 30.39°N 86.50°W

Panama City, FL 30.12°N 85.70°W

Indian Pass, FL 29.68°N 85.27°W

Apalachicola, FL 29.73°N 84.99°W

Ochlockonee River, FL 29.95°N 84.40°W

St. Marks, FL 30.11°N 84.21°W

Aucilla River, FL 30.05°N 83.92°W

Steinhatchee River, FL 29.70°N 83.40°W

Suwanee River, FL 29.30°N 83.17°W

Tampa Bay, FL

Suwanee River, FL 29.30°N 83.17°W

Yankeetown, FL 29.03°N 82.74°W

Bayport, FL 28.54°N 82.65°W

Anclote Key, FL 28.18°N 82.85°W

Tarpon Springs, FL 28.15°N 82.77°W

Anna Maria Island, FL 27.53°N 82.75°W

Longboat Key, FL 27.39°N 82.64°W

Englewood, FL 26.94°N 82.38°W

Boca Grande, FL 26.72°N 82.27°W

Bonita Beach, FL 26.33°N 81.85°W

Miami, FL (Gulf)

Bonita Beach, FL 26.33°N 81.85°W

Chokoloskee, FL 25.80°N 81.36°W 

East Cape Sable, FL 25.15°N 81.08°W

Flamingo, FL 25.14°N 80.93°W

Key West, FL (Gulf)

Flamingo, FL 25.14°N 80.93°W

Dry Tortugas, FL 24.66°N 82.86°W

Key West, FL 24.55°N 81.81°W

Seven Mile Bridge, FL 24.70°N 81.15°W

Craig Key, FL 24.83°N 80.77°W

Key Largo, FL 25.09°N 80.44°W

Ocean Reef, FL 25.32°N 80.26°W

Miami, FL (Atlantic)

Ocean Reef, FL 25.32°N 80.26°W

Florida City, FL 25.45°N 80.33°W

Golden Beach, FL 25.97°N 80.12°W

Hallandale Beach, FL 25.99°N 80.13°W

Deerfield Beach, FL 26.32°N 80.10°W

Boca Raton, FL 26.36°N 80.07°W

Jupiter Inlet, FL 26.95°N 80.07°W

Melbourne, FL

Jupiter Inlet, FL 26.95°N 80.07°W

Stuart, FL 27.21°N 80.18°W

Fort Pierce, FL 27.46°N 80.30°W

Vero Beach, FL 27.66°N 80.37°W

Sebastian Inlet, FL 27.84°N 80.43°W

Cocoa Beach, FL 28.32°N 80.61°W

Titusville, FL 28.64°N 80.63°W

New Smyrna Beach, FL 29.03°N 80.89°W

Flagler Beach, FL 29.47°N 81.13°W
B-2

Jacksonville, FL

Flagler Beach, FL 29.47°N 81.13°W

St. Augustine, FL 29.89°N 81.31°W

Fernandina Beach, FL 30.66°N 81.45°W

Altamaha Sound, GA 31.30°N 81.29°W

Charleston, SC

Altamaha Sound, GA 31.30°N 81.29°W

Savannah River, GA 32.04°N 80.86°W

Edisto Beach, SC 32.40°N 80.33°W

South Santee River, SC 33.12°N 79.27°W

Wilmington, NC

South Santee River, SC 33.12°N 79.27°W

Murrells Inlet, SC 33.56°N 79.00°W

Little River Inlet, SC 33.85°N 78.55°W

Cape Fear, NC 33.87°N 77.94°W

Surf City, NC 34.44°N 77.50°W

Morehead City, NC

Surf City, NC 34.44°N 77.50°W

New River Inlet, NC 34.32°N 77.34°W

Bogue Inlet, NC 34.39°N 77.11°W

Cape Lookout, NC 34.58°N 76.55°W

Ocracoke Inlet, NC 35.06°N 76.00°W

Cape Hatteras, NC 35.22°N 75.52°W

Oregon Inlet, NC 35.76°N 75.50°W

(The inclusion of Pamlico and Albemarle

Sounds should be on a case-by-case basis). 

Currituck Beach

 Light, NC 36.38°N 75.83°W

Wakefield, VA

Currituck Beach

 Light, NC 36.38°N 75.83°W

NC/VA State Line 36.55°N 75.87°W

Cape Charles Light, VA 37.11°N 75.90°W

Parramore Island, VA 37.53°N 75.63°W

Chincoteague, VA 37.93°N 75.32°W

Chesapeake Bay, New Point

 Comfort, VA 37.30°N 76.28°W

Chesapeake Bay,

 Windmill Point,VA 37.61°N 76.28°W

Chesapeake Bay,

 Smith Point, VA 37.89°N 76.24°W

Sterling, VA

Chesapeake Bay,

 Smith Point, VA 37.89°N 76.24°W

Tidal Potomac,

Cobb Island, MD 38.26°N

76.84°W

Tidal Potomac,

Indian Head, MD 38.61°N 77.15°W

Tidal Potomac,

Key Bridge, MD 38.89°N 77.07°W

Chesapeake Bay,

Drum Point, MD 39.33°N 76.42°W

Chesapeake Bay,

North Beach, MD 38.70°N 76.53°W

Chesapeake Bay,

Sandy Point, MD 39.02°N

76.40°W

Chesapeake Bay,

Pooles Island, MD 39.29°N 76.27°W

Mt. Holly, NJ

Cape Henlopen, DE 38.80°N 75.09°W

Cape May, NJ 38.93°N 74.90°W

Great Egg Inlet, NJ 39.29°N 74.54°W

Little Egg Inlet, NJ 39.49°N 74.31°W

Manasquan Inlet, NJ 40.10°N 74.03°W

Delaware Bay north/south of

Slaughter Beach, DE to 38.91°N 75.30°W

East Point, NJ 39.19°N 75.02°W

Sandy Hook, NJ 40.46°N 74.00°W

New York City, NY

Sandy Hook, NJ 40.46°N 74.00°W

Fire Island Inlet, LI, NY 40.63°N 73.30°W

Moriches Inlet, LI, NY 40.77°N 72.75°W

Montauk Point, LI, NY 41.07°N 71.86°W

Port Jefferson Harbor,

LI, NY 40.95°N 73.08°W

New Haven, CT 41.30°N 72.91°W

Watch Hill, RI 41.31°N 71.86°W

Boston, MA

Watch Hill, RI 41.31°N 71.86°W

Point Judith, RI 41.35°N

71.49°W

Westport, MA 41.45°N 71.20°W

Woods Hole, MA 41.52°N 70.69°W

Chatham, MA 41.66°N 69.95°W

Plymouth, MA 41.98°N 70.65°W

Gloucester, MA 42.57°N 70.66°W

Merrimack River, MA 42.84°N 70.82°W

Portland, ME

Merrimack River, MA 42.84°N 70.82°W

Portsmouth, NH 43.06°N 70.70°W

Portland, ME 43.64°N 70.20°W

Rockland, ME 44.10°N 69.10°W

Stonington, ME 44.16°N

68.67°W

Caribou, ME

Stonington, ME 44.16°N

68.67°W

Bar Harbor, ME 44.39°N 68.20°W

Eastport, ME 44.92°N 67.00°W
B-3

Figure B-1. Tropical Cyclone Break Points for the Northeast

Figure B-2. Tropical Cyclone Break Points for the Southeast
B-4

Figure B-3. Tropical Cyclone Break Points for the Gulf of Mexico
C-1

APPENDIX C

JOINT TYPHOON WARNING CENTER (JTWC) BULLETINS

Below are the abbreviated communications headers and titles for the products for which JTWC is

responsible. A brief description of each product, to include scheduled transmission times, is

available in USCINCPACINST 3140.1 (series)–JTWC’s governing instruction. 

ABIO 10 PGTW Significant Weather Advisory, Indian Ocean

ABPW 10 PGTW Significant Weather Advisory, Western Pacific Ocean

WTPN 21-26 PGTW Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert, Northwest Pacific Ocean

WTPN 31-36 PGTW Tropical Cyclone Warning, Northwest Pacific Ocean

WDPN 31-36 PGTW Prognostic Reasoning Bulletin, Northwest Pacific Ocean

WTIO 21-25 PGTW Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert, North Indian Ocean

WTIO 31-35 PGTW Tropical Cyclone Warning, North Indian Ocean

WTPS 21-25 PGTW Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert, Southwest Pacific Ocean

WTPS 31-35 PGTW Tropical Cyclone Warning, Southwest Pacific Ocean

WTXS 21-26 PGTW Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert, South Indian Ocean

WTXS 31-36 PGTW Tropical Cyclone Warning, South Indian Ocean

WTPN 21-25 PHNC Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert, Northeast Pacific Ocean

WTPN 31-35 PHNC Tropical Cyclone Warning, Northeast Pacific Ocean

FKPN 31-35 PHNC Prognostic Reasoning Bulletin, Northeast Pacific Ocean

WTPS 21-25 PHNC Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert, Southeast Pacific Ocean

WTPS 31-35 PHNC Tropical Cyclone Warning, Southeast Pacific Ocean
D-1

APPENDIX D

FORMAT FOR NHOP/NWSOP FLIGHT INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL

AND DOMESTIC NOTAM ISSUANCE

Flight information shall be sent to the NOTAM office via facsimile for dissemination as an

International and Domestic NOTAM in the following format (Note: The request is made for a

domestic NOTAM which will then automatically makes its way into the international NOTAM

system):

Header

Request a Domestic NOTAM be Issued

A. Affected Center(s). This field will include all affected ARTCCs in 3-letter identifier

format; e.g., ZNY, ZOA, ZAN. Synoptic track flights will probably utilize more than one

ARTCC, and any adjacent ARTCC should be included when the flight track is within 100

miles of the adjacent center’s airspace. Flights that are flying in the storm environment

will utilize the ARTCC whose airspace is mostly affected.

B. Start Time (YYMMDDZZZZ). For example, 0006011600. This time would correspond

to the entry time on a reconnaissance track or time at the storm fix latitude/longitude.

C. Ending Time (YYMMDDZZZZ). This would be the completion time of reconnaissance

track or the time exiting the storm environment.

E.* Text. This field is free form and should include the following information: route of

flight for the mission portion (latitude/longitude, fixes, airways), type of activity (laser,

dropsonde, etc.), frequency/location of deployment, broadcast frequencies, any other

pertinent information that may concern other flights. Include a unit/agency phone

number and point of contact for possible questions.

F. Lower Altitude (during mission). Use “Surface” since the dropsonde is the “reason” for

the NOTAM as much or more so than the aircraft altitude.

G. Upper Altitude (during mission). For example, FL450.

If only one altitude is to be used, then F and G may be combined. If altitude is going to

vary throughout the mission, utilize “see text” and the information can be inserted there

and the altitudes may be explained in field E.

* Note that there is no paragraph “D”. It is reserved for FAA use.

NOTES: 

1. Only ICAO approved contractions may be used.

2. Using this format will help ensure timely and accurate information dissemination.
E-1

APPENDIX E

SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE

 Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale (SSHS). A scale ranging from one to five based on the

hurricane's present intensity. This can be used to give an estimate of the potential property damage

and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane. This scale may be used in public hurricane

releases although the SSHS may not be applicable for all geographical areas; e.g., Hawaii and Guam.

In practice, sustained surface wind speed (1-minute average) is the parameter that determines the

category since storm surge is strongly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf.

ONE. Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kts). No real damage to building structures. Damage

primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal

flooding and minor pier damage.

TWO. Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kts). Some roofing material, door, and window damage

of buildings. Considerable damage to vegetation and mobile homes. Flooding

damages piers, and small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.

THREE. Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kts). Some structural damage to small residences

and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Mobile homes

are destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger

structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well inland.

FOUR. Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kts). More extensive curtainwall failures with some

complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas.

Terrain may be flooded well inland.

FIVE. Winds greater than 155 mph (>135 kts). Complete roof failure on many

residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small

utility buildings blown over or away. Flooding causes major damage to lower

floors of all structures near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas

may be required.

Note 1: A "major" hurricane is one that is classified as a Category 3 or higher.
F-1

APPENDIX F

OFFICIAL INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS

The following enclosure is the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

between the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and the National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), October 12,

2000. The purpose of this agreement is to establish policies,

principles, and procedures under which the AFRC and NOAA

provide aircraft weather reconnaissance and surveillance in support

of NOAA’s tropical cylone forecast, warning, and research missions.




G-1

APPENDIX G

RECCO, HDOB, MINOB, AND TEMP DROP

CODES, TABLES, AND REGULATIONS
G-2

Figure G-1. Reconnaissance code recording form 
G-3

Table G-1. Reconnaissance code tables

TABLE 1 XXX

222 Sec One Observation without radar

capability

555 Sec Three (intermediate)

observation with or without radar

capability

777 Sec One Observation with radar

capability

TABLE 2 id

0 No dew point capability/acft below

10,000 meters

1 No dew point capability/acft at or

above 10,000 meters

2 No dew point capability/acft below

10,000 meters and flight lvl temp -

50°C or colder

3 No dew point capability/acft at or

above 10,000 meters and flight lvl

temp -50°C or colder

4 Dew point capability/acft below 10,000

meters

5 Dew point capability/acft at or above

10,000 meters

6 Dew point capability/acft below 10,000

meters and flight lvl temp -50°C or

colder

7 Dew point capability/acft at or above

10,000 meters and flight lvl temp -

50°C or colder

TABLE 3 Q

0 0° -90° W Northern 

1 90° W - 180° Northern 

2 180° - 90° E Northern 

3 90° - 0° E Northern 

4 Not Used

5 0° - 90° W Southern 

6 90° W - 180° Southern 

7 180° - 90° E Southern 

8 90° - 0° E Southern 

TABLE 4 B

0 None

1 Light turbulence

2 Moderate turbulence in clear air,

infrequent

3 Moderate turbulence in clear air,

frequent

4 Moderate turbulence in cloud,

infrequent

5 Moderate turbulence in cloud,

frequent

6 Severe Turbulence in clear air,

infrequent

7 Severe Turbulence in clear air,

frequent

8 Severe Turbulence in cloud,

infrequent

9 Severe Turbulence in cloud, frequent

TABLE 5 fc

0 In the clear

8 In and out of clouds

9 In clouds all the time (continuous IMC)

/ Impossible to determine due to

darkness or other cause

TABLE 6 dt

0 Spot of Wind

1 Average wind

/ No wind reported

TABLE 7 da

0 Winds obtained using doppler radar or

inertial systems

1 Winds obtained using other navigation

equipment and/or techniques

/ Navigator unable to determine or wind

not compatible

TABLE 8 w

0 Clear

1 Scattered (trace to 4/8 cloud coverage)

2 Broken (5/8 to 7/8 cloud coverage)

3 Overcast/undercast

4 Fog, thick dust or haze

5 Drizzle

6 Rain (continuous or intermittent precip -

from stratiform clouds)

7 Snow or rain and snow mixed

8 Shower(s) (continuous or intermittent

precip - from cumuliform clouds)

9 Thunderstorm(s)

/ Unknown for any cause, including

darkness

TABLE 9 j

0 Sea level pressure in whole millibars

(thousands fig if any omitted)

1 Altitude 200 mb surface in geopotential

decameters (thousands fig if any

omitted)

2 Altitude 850 mb surface in geopotential

meters (thousands fig omitted)

3 Altitude 700 mb surface in geopotential

meters (thousands fig omitted)

4 Altitude 500 mb surface in geopotential

decameters

5 Altitude 400 mb surface in geopotential

decameters

6 Altitude 300 mb surface in geopotential

decameters

7 Altitude 250 mb surface in geopotential

decameters (thousands fig if any

omitted)

8 D - Value in geopotential decameters; if

negative 500 is added to HHH

9 Altitude 925 mb surface in geopotential

meters

/ No absolute altitude available or

geopotential data not within ± 30

meters/4 mb accuracy requirements

TABLE 10 Ns

0 No additional cloud layers (place holder)

1 1 okta or less, but not zero

(1/8 or less sky covered)

2 2 oktas (or 2/8 of sky covered)

3 3 oktas (or 3/8 of sky covered)

4 4 oktas (or 4/8 of sky covered)

5 5 oktas (or 5/8 of sky covered)

6 6 oktas (or 6/8 of sky covered)

7 7 oktas or more but not 8 oktas

8 8 oktas or sky completely covered

9 Sky obscured (place holder)

TABLE 11 C

0 Cirrus (Ci)

1 Cirrocumulus (Cc)

2 Cirrostratus (Cs)

3 Altocumulus (Ac)

4 Altostratus (As)

5 Nimbostratus (Ns)

6 Stratocumulus (Sc)

7 Stratus (St)

8 Cumulus (Cu)

9 Cumulonimbus (Cb)

/ Cloud type unknown due to darkness

or other analogous phenomena

TABLE 12 hshsHt

HthihiHiHi

00 Less than 100

01 100 ft

02 200 ft

03 300 ft

etc, etc

49 4,900 ft

50 5,000 ft

51-55 Not used

56 6,000 ft

57 7,000 ft

etc, etc

79 29,000 ft

80 30,000 ft

81 35,000 ft

82 40,000 ft

etc, etc

89 Greater than 70,000 ft

// Unknown

TABLE 13 dw

0 No report 5 SW

1 NE 6 W

2 E 7 NW

3 SE 8 N

4 S 9 all directions

TABLE 14 Ws

0 No change

1 Marked wind shift

2 Beginning or ending or marked

turbulence

3 Marked temperature change (not with

altitude)

4 Precipitation begins or ends

5 Change in cloud forms

6 Fog or ice fog bank begins or ends

7 Warm front

8 Cold Front

9 Front, type not specified

TABLE 15 SbSeSs

0 No report

1 Previous position

2 Present position

3 30 nautical miles

4 60 nautical miles

5 90 nautical miles

6 120 nautical miles

7 150 nautical miles

8 180 nautical miles

9 More than 180 nautical miles

/ Unknown (not used for Ss)
G-4

Table G-1. Reconnaissance code tables (continued)

TABLE 16 wd

0 No report

1 Signs of a tropical cyclone

2 Ugly threatening sky

3 Duststorm or sandstorm

4 Fog or ice fog

5 Waterspout

6 Cirrostratus shield or bank

7 Altostratus or altocumulus shield or

bank

8 Line of heavy cumulus 

9 Cumulonimbus heads or

thunderstorms

TABLE 17 Ir

7 Light

8 Moderate

9 Severe

/ Unknown or contrails

TABLE 18 It

0 None

1 Rime ice in clouds

2 Clear ice in clouds

3 Combination rime and clear ice in

clouds

4 Rime ice in precipitation

5 Clear ice in precipitation

6 Combination rime and clear ice in

precip

7 Frost (icing in clear air)

8 Nonpersistent contrails (less than

1/4 nautical miles long)

9 Persistent contrails

TABLE 19 Sr,Ew,El

0 0NM 5 50NM

1 10NM 6 60-80NM

2 20NM 7 80-100NM

3 30NM 8 100-150NM

4 40NM 9 Greater than 150NM

/ Unknown

TABLE 20 Oe

0 Circular

1 NNE - SSW

2 NE - SW

3 ENE - WSW

4 E - W

5 ESE - WNW

6 SE - NW

7 SSE - NNW

8 S - N

/ Unknown

TABLE 21 ce

1 Scattered Area

2 Solid Area

3 Scattered Line

4 Solid Line

5 Scattered, all quadrants

6 Solid, all quadrants

/ Unknown

TABLE 22 ie

2 Weak

5 Moderate

8 Strong

/ Unknown

TABLE 23 Vi

1 Inflight visibility 0 to and including 1 nautical mile

2 Inflight visibility greater than 1 and not exceeding 3 nautical miles

3 Inflight visibility greater than 3 nautical miles

RECCO SYMBOLIC FORM 

SECTION ONE (MANDATORY)

9XXX9 GGggid YQLaLaLa LoLoLoBfc hahahadtda

ddfff TTTdTdw /jHHH

SECTION TWO (ADDITIONAL)

1knNsNsNs ChshsHtHt ..... ..... 4ddff

6WsSsWddw 7IrI

t

SbSe 7hihiHiHi 8drdrSrOe

8EwElcei

e 9Vi

TwTwTw

SECTION THREE (INTERMEDIATE)

9XXX9 GGggid YQLaLaLa LoLoLoBfc hahahadtda

ddfff TTTdTdw /jHHH
G-5

Table G-2. Reconnaissance code regulations

1. At the time of the observation the aircraft observing

platform is considered to be located on the axis of a right

vertical cylinder with a radius of 30 nautical miles

bounded by the earth's surface and the top atmosphere. 

Present weather, cloud amount and type, turbulence, 

and other subjective elements are reported as occurring

within the cylinder. Flight level winds, temperature, 

dew point, and geopotential values are sensed or

computed and reported as occurring at the center of the

observation circle. Radar echoes, significant weather

changes, distant weather, and icing are phenomena that

may also be observed/reported. Code groups identifying

these phenomena may be reported as necessary to

adequately describe met conditions observed.

2. The intermediate observation (Section Three) is

reported following Section One (or Section Two if

appended to Section One) in the order that it was taken.

3. Plain language remarks may be added as appropriate. 

These remarks follow the last encoded portion of the

horizontal or vertical observation and will clearly convey

the intended message. Vertical observations will not

include meteorological remarks. These remarks must

begin with a letter or word-e.g. "FL TEMP" vice "700

MB FL TEMP." The last report plain language remarks

are mandatory, i.e., "LAST REPORT. OBS 01 thru 08

to KNHC, OBS 09 and 10 to KBIX."

4. The hundreds digit of longitude is omitted for

longitudes from 100° to 180°. 

5. Describe conditions along the route of flight actually

experienced at flight level by aircraft.

6. TT, TdTd. When encoding negative temperatures, 50

is added to the absolute value of the temperature with the

hundreds figure, if any, being omitted. A temperature

of -52°C is encoded as 02, the distinction between -52°C

and 2°C being made from id. Missing or unknown

temperatures are reported as //. When the dew point is

colder than -49.4°C, Code TdTd as // and report the

actual value as a plain language remark - e.g. "DEW

POINT NEG 52°C".

7. When two or more types of w co-exist, the type with

the higher code figure will be reported. Code Figure 1, 2

and 3 are reported based on the total cloud amount

through a given altitude, above or below the aircraft, 

and when other figures are inappropriate. The

summation principle applies only when two or more

cloud types share a given altitude.

8. When j is reported as a /, HHH is encoded as ///.

9. If the number of cloud layers reported exceeds 3, kn in the first 1-group reports the total number of cloud

layers. The second 1-group reports the additional

number of layers being reported exclusive of those

previously reported. In those cases where a cloud

layer(s) is discernible, but a descriptive cloud picture of

the observation circle is not possible, use appropriate

remarks such as "Clouds Blo" or "As Blo" to indicate the

presence of clouds. In such cases, coded entries are not

made for group 9. The sequence in which cloud amounts

are encoded depends upon type of cloud, cloud base, 

and vertical extent of the cloud. The cloud with the

largest numerical value of cloud type code (C) is

reported first, regardless of coverage, base, or vertical

extent. Among clouds of the same cloud type code,

sharing a common base, the cloud of greatest vertical

extent is reported first. The summation principle is not

used; each layer is treated as though no other clouds

were present. The total amount of clouds through one

altitude shared by several clouds will not exceed 8 oktas.

Only use code figure 0 as a place holder when you can

determine that no additional cloud layers exist. In case

of undercast, overcast, etc., use code figure 9 as a

placeholder.

10. Due to limitations in the ability to distinguish sea

state features representative of wind speeds above 130

knots, surface wind speeds in excess of 130 knots will

not be encoded. Wind speeds of 100 to 130 knots

inclusive will be encoded by deleting the hundreds figure

and adding 50 to dd. For wind speeds above 130 knots, 

dd is reported without adding 50 and ff is encoded as //

with a plain language remark added, i.e., "SFC WIND

ABOVE 130 KNOTS."

11. Significant weather changes which have occurred

since the last observation along the track are reported for

Ws.

12. When aircraft encounters icing in level flight, the

height at which the icing occurred will be reported for

hihi. The HiHi will be reported as //.
G-6

HDOB messages are created automatically by IWRS. Each HDOB consists of 20 lines of HD/HA data. Each

HD/HA data line is composed of 30 second averages for each parameter reported, except max wind which is a 10

second average. The highest max wind recorded during the encoding interval is used in the HDOB.

The encoding interval of the HD/HA data lines in the HDOB message is operator adjustable to 30 seconds,

1 minute or 2 minutes. A 30 second encoding interval encodes every HD/HA data line and creates an HDOB every

10 minutes. A 1 minute interval encodes every other HD/HA data line and generates an HDOB every 20 minutes.

Likewise, a 2 minute interval encodes every fourth HD/HA data line and generates an HDOB every 40 minutes.

Regardless of the encoding interval selected, the highest max wind value since the previous encoded HD/HA data

line will be reported in the observation. Samples of each type message is shown below. Each complete message

would have 20 data lines.

SXXX50 KNHC 040952

AF967 1017A OPAL HDOB 39 

0942. 2643N 08846W 03036 5374 127 106 140 136 112 02680 0000000000

0943 2641N 08847W 03036 5442 116 116 136 136 120 02612 0000000000

0943. 2640N 08849W 03065 5521 100 087 140 140 099 02561 0000000000

0944 2638N 08850W 03028 5591 087 059 186 160 074 02454 0000000000

0944. 2637N 08850W 03053 5630 097 028 202 158 036 02440 0000000000

0945 2635N 08850W 03059 5647 197 009 218 148 018 02429 0000000000

.

.

30-second data interval

SXXX50 KNHC 040952

AF967 1017A OPAL HDOB 39 

0942 2644N 08844W 03039 5333 135 094 138 136 096 02724 0000000000

0943 2641N 08847W 03036 5442 116 116 136 136 120 02612 0000000000

0944 2638N 08850W 03028 5591 087 059 186 160 099 02454 0000000000

0945 2635N 08850W 03059 5647 197 009 218 148 036 02429 0000000000

0946 2632N 08849W 03028 5632 274 052 226 148 067 02413 0000000000

0947 2628N 08849W 03057 5488 271 118 194 130 124 02587 0000000000

.

.

1-minute data interval

SXXX50 KNHC 040952

AF967 1017A OPAL HDOB 39

0942 2644N 08844W 03039 5333 135 094 138 136 096 02724 0000000000

0944 2638N 08850W 03028 5591 087 059 186 160 120 02454 0000000000

0946 2632N 08849W 03028 5632 274 052 226 148 067 02413 0000000000

0948 2625N 08849W 03050 5378 263 113 172 140 124 02690 0000000000

0950 2620N 08849W 03047 5268 259 094 142 134 109 02797 0000000000

0952 2614N 08849W 03044 5217 262 075 162 108 090 02845 0000000000

.

.

2-minute data interval

Figure G-2. HDOB Description and Sample Messages
G-7

Table G-3. HDOB Message Format

HHMM LaLammH LoLoLommH PPPPP DDDD WWW SSS TTT ddd MMM RRRRR FFFFFFFFFF

HHMM: The time of observation in hours and minutes (UTC). A period following

HHMM indicates a data time of 30 seconds past the minute.

LaLammH: The latitude of the observation in degrees, minutes and hemisphere

(N or S). 

LoLoLommH: The longitude of the observation in degrees, minutes and hemisphere

(E or W). 

PPPPP: The pressure altitude in meters. 

DDDD: The absolute value of the D-value in meters (a 5 occupies the thousands

place if the D-value is negative. For example, -34m is encoded as 5034. 

WWW: The wind direction in degrees, with 0 being true north, increasing

clockwise. 

SSS: The wind speed in knots. 

TTT: The air temperature in degrees and tenths Celsius. The tenths digit is even

for temperatures at or above 0°C, odd for temperatures below 0°C.

ddd: The dew point temperature, encoded the same way as air temperature. 

MMM: The maximum wind speed in knots measured during the minute. This is the

peak wind speed averaged over a 10-sec period. 

RRRRR: Radar altitude in meters 

FFFFFFFFFF: Default status for the MINOB/HDOB data. A "1" indicates the parameter is

defaulted (suspect value) or based on a parameter that is defaulted. A "0"

indicates the value is not defaulted. The field indicate default for (in order):

latitude, longitude, pressure altitude, D-value, wind direction, wind speed,

air temperature, dew point, maximum wind speed, radar altimeter. 
G-8

MinOb messages are created automatically by the NOAA P-3 Research Aircraft Measurement

System (RAMS). Each MinOb message contains one or more lines of flight level data. Each

line consists of data parameters, averaged over an operator-selected sample interval (common

settings are 30 seconds and 1 minute). The time interval for collecting lines in a block before

forming a message for transmission is also selectable, typically 10 or 15 minutes. The message

length is based on the operator's selection of sample interval and block length, but will never

exceed 3300 characters (approximately 50 lines) due to satellite transmission protocol limits.

Each line is terminated with an ASCII <cr><cr><lf> sequence (Hex 0D 0D 0A). The line length

is variable, depending on whether the optional Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer

(SFMR) fields are included (see Table G-4 description). All fields are separated by at least one

ASCII blank (Hex 20) as shown in the Table by a . symbol.

URNT40 KWBC 261950

NOAA3 WX02A BONNIE

194030 3136 07758 6849 +0152 251053 +171 +106 251054 040 005

194100 3138 07758 6847 +0148 247053 +171 +102 249053 040 005

194130 3141 07758 6849 +0146 246053 +166 +106 247053 039 005

194200 3143 07758 6851 +0144 246054 +162 +111 246054 039 004

194230 3145 07758 6849 +0141 246053 +162 +112 246054 999 999

194300 3147 07558 6852 +0134 245053 +160 +114 245053 039 004

194330 3149 07759 6845 +0126 247052 +162 +110 247052 038 000

.

.

30-Second Data Interval (with optional SFMR data)

Note: Differences from the Air Force HDOB message include the following:

& Time code includes seconds, rather than a period to show 30-second mark

& Latitude and longitude hemispheres are denoted by a minus sign rather than an 

alphabetic character (N,S,E,W)

& Pressure altitudes and D-values are in feet

& D-value sign is explicit, rather than coded as a leading `5'

& Temperature and dewpoint signs are explicit, rather than making tenths odd/even

& There is no radar altitude or default status

& There may be SFMR data fields

Figure G-3. MinOb Description and Sample Message
G-9

Table G-4. NOAA MinOb Message Format

HHMMSS.LaLaLamm.LoLoLomm.PPPPP.±DDDD.WWWSSS.±TTT.±ddd.wwwsss.sss.rrr

HHMMSS The time of the observation in hours, minutes and seconds (UTC). All averages (except

peak wind) are centered around this time.

LaLaLamm The latitude of the observation in degrees and minutes. A negative number signifies the

Southern hemisphere. There may be leading blanks in the degree subfield; the minutes

will always be a two digit numeric (zero filled as required).

LoLoLomm The longitude of the observation in degrees and minutes. A negative number signifies the

Eastern hemisphere. NOTE: This is opposite the normal convention. There may be

leading blanks in the degree subfield; minutes will always be a two digit numeric.

PPPPP The pressure altitude in feet. There may be leading blanks.

±DDDD The D-value (Geopotential Altitude - Pressure Altitude) in feet. There will always be a

leading sign (+ or -) followed by four numeric characters (leading zeros if required)

WWW The wind direction in degrees, with 0 being true North, increasing clockwise. There will

always be three numeric characters, with leading zeros if required.

SSS The wind speed in knots. There will always be three numeric characters, with leading

zeros if required.

±TTT The air temperature in degrees and tenths Celsius. There will always be a leading sign

(+ or -) followed by three numeric characters (leading zeros if required). For example, 5.3

C would be coded +053.

±ddd The dewpoint temperature, encoded the same way as air temperature.

www The direction of the peak wind during this interval (30 sec, 1 min, etc.). The peak wind is

defined as the maximum 10 second average wind. Format is the same as wind direction

above.

sss The speed of the peak wind in knots. Format is the same as wind speed above.

sss The wind speed at the surface in knots, as measured by the Stepped Frequency

Microwave Radiometer (SFMR). This is an optional field new for 1999, and may be

omitted depending on the version of software being run. If omitted, the rain rate field will

also be omitted, and the <cr><cr><lf> sequence will occur immediately after the peak

wind speed field (no trailing blank). When present, there will be three numeric characters,

with leading zeros if required. If the SFMR wind can not be calculated during the sample

interval, it (and the rain rate) will be coded as 999.

rrr The rain rate in mm/hr, as measured by the SFMR. When present (see SFMR wind speed

discussion above), there will be three numeric characters, with leading zeros if required. 

If rain rate can not be calculated it will be coded as 999.
G-10

Table G-5. TEMP DROP CODE

EXTRACT FROM: WMO-No. 306 MANUAL ON CODES

FM 37-X Ext. TEMP DROP - Upper-level pressure, temperature, humidity and wind report from a sonde released by

carrier balloons or aircraft. See Figure G-4 for an example TEMP DROP message for tropical cyclone operations.

CODE FORM:

PART A

SECTION 1 MiMiMjMj YYGGId 99LaLaLa QcLoLoLoLo MMMULaULo

SECTION 2 99PoPoPo ToToTaoDoDo dodof

ofofo

 P1P1h1h1h1 T1T1Ta1D1D1 d1d1f

1f1f1

 PnPnhnhnhn TnTnTanDnDn dndnf

nfnfn

SECTION 3 88PtPtPt TtTtTatDtDt dtdtf

t

f

t

f

t

or

88999

SECTION 4 77PmPmPm dmdmf

mfmfm (4vbvbvava)

 or

 66PmPmPm dmdmf

mfmfm (4vbvbvava)

 or

 77999

 

SECTION 10 31313

51515 101Adf Adf 0PnPnP'nP'n. 

or

101Adf Adf PnPnhnhnhn 

61616

62626

PART B

SECTION 1 Mi

MiMjMj YYGG8 99LaLaLa QcLoLoLo MMMULaULo

SECTION 5 nonoPoPoPo ToToTaoDoDo

n1n1P1P1P1 T1T1Ta1D1D1

nnnnPnPnPn TnTnTanDnDn

SECTION 6 21212 nonoPoPoPo dodof

ofofo

n1n1P1P1P1 d1d1f

1f1f1

nnnnPnPnPn dndnf

nfnfn

SECTION 7 31313 sr

rarasasa 8GGgg
G-11

SECTION 9 51515 101Adf Adf or

101Adf Adf 0PnPnP'nP'n. or

101Adf Adf PnPnhnhnhn 

SECTION 10 61616

62626

PART ALPHA (A)

IDENTIFICATION LETTERS: MJMJ

Identifier: MJMJ - Identifier for Part A of the report.

DATE/TIME GROUP: YYGGId

Identifier: YY - Date group

Identifier: GG - Time group

Identifier: Id - The highest mandatory level for which wind is available.

LATTITUDE: 99LaLaLa

Identifier: 99 – Indicator for data on position follows.

Identifier: LaLaLa – Latitude in tenths of degrees

LONGITUDE: QcLoLoLoLo

Identifier: Qc – The octant of the globe.

Identifier: LoLoLoLo – Longitude in tenths of degrees

MARSDEN SQUARE: MMMUlaUlo

Identifier: MMM - Marsden square. 

Identifier: UlaUlo – Units digits in the reported latitude and longitude.

SEA LEVEL PRESSURE: 99P0P0P0 T0T0T0D0D0 d0d0f0f0f0

Identifier: 99 – Indicator for data at the surface level follows

Identifier: P0P0P0 – Indicator for pressure of specified levels in whole millibars (thousands digit omitted) 

Identifier: T0T0T0– Tens and digits of air temperature (not rounded off) in degrees Celsius, at specified levels

beginning with surface.

Identifier: D0D0 – Dewpoint depression at standard isobaric surfaces beginning with surface level. 

NOTE

When the depression is 4.9C or less encode the units and tenths digits of the depression. Encode

depressions of 5.0 through 5.4C as 50. Encode depressions of 5.5C through 5.9C as 56. Dew point

depressions of 6.0 and above are encoded in tens and units with 50 added. Dew point depressions

for relative humidities less then 20% are encoded as 80. When air temperature is below –40C

report DnDn as //.

Identifier: dodo – True direction from which wind is blowing rounded to nearest 5 degrees. Report hundreds and tens

digits. The unit digit (0 or 5) is added to the hundreds digit of wind speed.
G-12

Identifier: fofofo – Wind speed in knots. Hundreds digit is sum of speed and unit digit of direction, i.e. 295o at 125

knots encoded as 29625. 

NOTE: 1. When flight level is just above a standard surface and in the operator’s best meteorological judgment, the

winds are representative of the winds at the standard surface, then the operator may encode the standard surface

winds using the data from flight level. If the winds are not representative, then encode /////.

NOTE: 2. The wind group relating to the surface level (dodofofofo) will be included in the report; when the

corresponding wind data are not available, the group will be encoded as /////. 

STANDARD ISOBARIC SURFACES : P1P1h1h1h1 T1T1T1D1D1 d1d1f1f1f1

Identifier: P1P1 – Pressure of standard isobaric surfaces in units of tens of millibars.

 (1000 mbs = 00, 925mbs = 92, 850mbs = 85, 700mbs = 70, 500mbs = 50, 400mbs = 40, 300mbs = 30, 

 250mbs = 25).

Identifier: h1h1h1 – Heights of the standard pressure level in geopotential meters or decameters above the

surface. Encoded in decameters at and above 500mbs omitting, if necessary, the thousands or tens of

thousands digits. Add 500 to hhh for negative 1000mb or 925mb heights. Report 1000mb group as 00/// /////

///// when pressure is less than 950mbs.

Identifier: T1T1T1D1D1 – Same temperature/dew point encoding procedures apply to all levels.

Identifier : d1d1f1f1f1 – Same wind encoding procedures apply to all levels.

DATA FOR TROPOPAUSE LEVELS: 88 Pt

PtPt TtTtTtDtDt dtdtftftft

Identifier: 88 – Indicator for Tropopause level follows

Identifier: Pt

PtPt– Pressure at the tropopause level reported in whole millibars. Report 88PnPnPn as 88999 when

tropopause is not observed.

Identifier: Tt

TtTtDtDt – Same temperature/ dew point encoding procedures apply.

Identifier: dt

dtftftft - Same wind encoding procedures apply.

MAXIMUM WIND DATA: 77PnPnPn dndnfnfnfn 4vbvbvava

Identifier: 77 – Indicator that data for maximum wind level and for vertical wind shear follow when max wind does

not coincide at flight. If the maximum wind level coincides with flight level encode as 66 

Identifier: PnPnPn.– Pressure at maximum wind level in whole millibars.

Identifier: dndnfnfnfn - Same wind encoding procedures apply.

VERTICAL WIND SHEAR DATA: 4vbvbvava

Identifier: 4 – Data for vertical wind shear follow.

Identifier: vbvb – Absolute value of vector difference between max wind and wind 3000 feet BELOW the level of

max wind, reported to the nearest knot. Use “//” if missing and a 4 is reported. A vector difference of 99 knots

or more is reported with the code figure “99”.

Identifier: vava – Absolute value of vector difference between max wind and wind 3000 feet above the level of max

wind, reported to the nearest knot. Use “//” if missing and a 4 is reported. A vector difference of 99 knots or

more is reported with the code figure “99”.

 

 SOUNDING SYSTEM INDICATION, RADIOSONDE/ SYSTEM STATUS, LAUNCH TIME: 

 31313 srrarasasa 8GGgg 

 

Identifier: srrarasasa - Sounding system indicator, radiosonde/ system status: sararasasa

Identifier: sa - Solar and infrared radiation correction ( 0 – no correction)

Identifier: rara – Radiosonde/sounding system used ( 96 – Descending radiosonde)

Identifier: sasa – Tracking technique/status of system used ( 08 – Automatic satellite navigation)

Identifier: 8GGgg – Launch time
G-13

Identifier: 8 – Indicator group

Identifier: GG – Time in hours

Identifier: gg – Time in minutes 

ADDITIONAL DATA GROUPS: 51515 101XX 0PnPnPnPn

Identifier: 51515 – Additional data in regional code follow

Identifier: 10166 – Geopotential data are doubtful between the following levels 0PnPnPnPn. This code figure is used

only when geopotential data are doubtful from one level to another. 

Identifier: 10167 – Temperature data are doubtful between the following levels 0PnPnPnPn. This code figure shall be

reported when only the temperature data are doubtful for a portion of the descent. If a 10167 group is reported a

10166 will also be reported. EXAMPLE: Temperature is doubtful from 540mbs to 510mbs. SLP is 1020mbs.

The additional data groups would be : 51515 10166 00251 10167 05451. 

Identifier: 10190 – Extrapolated altitude data follows:

When the sounding begins within 25mbs below a standard surface, the height of the surface is

reported in the format 10190 PnPnhnhnhn. The temperature group is not reported. EXAMPLE:

Assume the release was made from 310mbs and the 300mb height was 966 decameters. The

last reported standard level in Part A is the 400mb level. The data for the 300mb level is

reported in Part A and B as 1019030966.

When the sounding does not reach surface, but terminates within 25mbs of a standard surface, the

height of the standard surface is reported in Part A of the code in standard format and also at

the end of Part A and Part B of the code in the format as 10190 PnPnhnhnhn. 

EXAMPLE: Assume termination occurred at 980mbs and the extrapolated height of the

1000mb level was 115 meters. The 1000mb level would be reported in Part A of the code as

00115 ///// ///// and in Part B as 10190 00115.

Identifier: 10191 – Extrapolated surface pressure precedes. Extrapolated surface pressure is only reported when the

termination occurs between 850mbs and the surface. Surface pressure is reported in Part A as 99P0P0P0 ///// and in

Part B as 00P0P0P0 /////. When surface pressure is extrapolated the 10191 group is the last additional data group

reported in Part B.

AIRCRAFT AND MISSION IDENTIFICATION: 61616 AFXXX XXXXX XXXXX OB X 

Identifier: 61616 – Aircraft and mission identification data follows.

Identifier: AFXXX – The identifier AF for U.S. Air Force and the last three digits of the aircraft’s tail number.

Identifier: XXXXX XXXXX – The identifier for the type of mission being flown.

If a training mission the mission identifier is WXWXA TRAIN. The fifth letter “A” is the only

character that could possibly change. The “A” defining that the flight originated in the

Atlantic basin. The letter “C” identifies the Central Pacific area and the letter “E” identifies

the Eastern Pacific.

If an operational storm mission: the first two numbers Identifier the number of times an aircraft has

flown this system and the second two numbers Identifier the system number. The last

character again identifies the basin flown. The name of the storm would replace TRAIN.

EXAMPLE: AF968 0204A MARIE – Aircraft number 50968, this was the second flight into

this system and the system was the fourth of the season. The system reached tropical storm

strength and was named MARIE.

Identifier: OB 14 – The observation (both vertical and horizontal) number as transmitted from the aircraft.
G-14

NATIONALLY DEVELOPED CODES: 62626

Identifier: 62626 – This is the remarks section. Only the remarks EYE, EYEWALL XXX, MXWNDBND XXX, or

RAINBAND will be used. If the remarks EYEWALL is used it will be followed by the radian to the eye center. 

Identifier: SPL XXXXNXXXXXW hhmm - Impact location of the sonde based on its last GPS position and the

splash time. The splash location will be recorded automatically by computer. 

Identifier: LAST WND XXX - Height of the last reported wind. If a surface wind is reported the Last Wind remark

is omitted. XXX will never be less than 13 meters

Identifier: MBL WND dddff - The mean boundary level wind. The mean wind in the lowest 500 meters of the

sounding

Identifier: AEV XXXXX - This is the software version being used for the sounding. 

Identifier: DLM WND ddfff bbbttt - The Deep Layer Mean wind. It is the average wind over the depth of the

sounding. Where ddfff is the wind averaged from the first to the last available wind (these would correspond to

the first and last significant levels for wind); ttt is the pressure at the top of the layer, and bbb is the pressure at

the bottom of the layer (in whole mbs, with thousands digit omitted). 

Identifier: WL150 ddfff zzz - Average wind over the lowest available 150 m of the wind sounding. Where ddfff is

the mean wind over the 150 m layer centered at zzz m. 

PART ALPHA (B)

DATA FOR SIGNIFICANT TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY LEVELSSIGNIFICANT

ISOBARIC LEVELS:

 n0n0P0P0P0 T0T0T0D0D0

IDENTIFICATION LETTERS: MJMJ

Identifier: MJMJ - Identifier for Part B of the report.

DATE/TIME GROUP: YYGG8

Identifier: YY - Date group

Identifier: GG - Time group

Identifier: 8 - Indicator for the use of satellite navigation for windfinding.

LATTITUDE: 99LaLaLa (Same as Part A)

LONGITUDE: QcLoLoLoLo (Same as Part A)

MARSDEN SQUARE: MMMUlaUlo (Same as Part A)

SEA LEVEL PRESSURE: nonoP0P0P0 T0T0T0D0D0

Identifier: nono – Indicator for number of level starting with surface level. Only surface will be numbered as “00”.

Identifier: P0P0P0 – Indicator for pressure of specified levels in whole millibars (thousands digit omitted) 

Identifier: T0T0T0– Tens and digits of air temperature (not rounded off) in degrees Celsius, at specified levels

beginning with surface.

Identifier: D0D0 – Dewpoint depression at standard isobaric surfaces beginning with surface level. Encoded the same

as Part A.

FOR STORM DROPS ONLY. If SLP is less than 950mb encode the 1000mb group as 00/// ///// /////. When the

SLP is between 950mb and 999mb encode 1000mb as 00PoPoPo ///// ///// (500 meters are added to height below

surface).

DATA FOR SIGNIFICANT WIND LEVELS: n0n0P0P0P0 dodofofofo

Identifier: n0n0 – Number of level starting with surface level. Only surface will be numbered as “00”. 

Identifier: P0P0P0 – Pressure at specified levels in whole millibars.
G-15

Identifier: dodo – True direction from which wind is blowing rounded to nearest 5 degrees. Report hundreds and tens

digits. The unit digit (0 or 5) is added to the hundreds digit of wind speed.

Identifier: fofofo – Wind speed in knots. Hundreds digit is sum of speed and unit digit of direction, i.e. 295o at 125

knots encoded as 29625. 

Same notes in Part A apply.

31313, 51515, 61616, 62626 – Repeated from Part A.

FIGURE G-4. EXAMPLE TEMP DROP MESSAGE FOR TROPICAL CYCLONES

UZNT13 KNHC 061851

XXAA 56187 99251 70786 08158 99990 26444 ///// 00540 26247 13070 92827

22856 12565 85560 17834 13075 70200 13045 13585 88999 77999

31313 09608 81828

51515 10166 00270

61616 AF968 0204A MARIE OB 14 

62626 MXWNDBND SPL 2525N07835W 1826 LST WND 012 MBL WND 13065 

AEV 20200 DLM WND 13075 990699 WL150 13070 843

XXBB 56188 99251 70786 08158 00006 26444 11000 25841 22991 24657 33860

18233 44719 15657 55699 13045 

21212 00990 ///// 11983 13570 22959 13065 33865 12560 44787 13075 55719

13575 66699 13585 

31313 09608 81828

51515 10166 00270

61616 AF968 0204A MARIE OB 14 

62626 MXWNDBND SPL 2525N07835W 1826 LST WND 012 MBL WND 13065 

AEV 20200 DLM WND 13075 990699 WL150 13070 843
H-1

APPENDIX H

WSR-88D OPERATIONS PLAN FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE EVENTS

In order to perform radar center-fixing and obtain other diagnostic information, TPC/NHC

must obtain radar products from WSR-88D sites in the area of landfall. As a tropical cyclone

approaches, software commands must be issued at the site, using the Unit Control Position (UCP),

in order for TPC/NHC to obtain the necessary products. To facilitate this process, TPC/NHC, in

cooperation with the NWS Weather Forecast Office, Melbourne, and the NEXRAD Radar

Operations Center (ROC), has developed an operations plan for use during tropical cyclone events.

The latest addition can be found on the OFCM web site at:

http://www.ofcm.gov/homepage/text/pubs.htm . 
I-1

APPENDIX I 

TELEPHONE AND TELETYPE LISTING

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

AGENCY LOCATION TTY1 TELEPHONE

Alternate NHC Camp Springs, MD B COM 301-763-8201

 (NCEP, HPC)

AOC Tampa Bay, FL COM 813-828-3310

CPHC - Forecaster and Warning Desk Honolulu, HI B COM 808-973-5284

- Admin COM 808-973-5270

- Director COM 808-973-5272

- Operations FAX 808-973-5281

CPHC Satellite Coordinator Honolulu, HI B COM 808-973-5285

NWSO Tiyan, Guam Forecast Tiyan, Guam COM 671-471-7398

 Warning Desk

NDBC - Operations Branch SSC, MS COM 228-688-7720

NESDIS Satellite Analysis Branch Camp Springs, MD B COM 301-763-8444

NHC Miami, FL AB COM 305-229-4415

TAFB Lead Forecaster (TPC/NHC) Miami, FL AB COM 305-229-4425

Hydrometeorological Camp Springs, MD B COM 301-763-8201

 Prediction Center (HPC)

NCEP Senior Duty Met (Data QC) Camp Springs, MD B COM 301-763-8298

NWS Hydrometeorological Silver Spring, MD COM 301-713-1858

 Services Core (Headquarters) ext. 108

FAX 301-713-1520

INTERDEPARTMENTAL

OFCM Silver Spring, MD COM 301-427-2002

DSN 851-1460

1 A AWDS

B AWIPS
I-2

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

AGENCY LOCATION TTY TELEPHONE

AFWA Offutt AFB, NE AB COM 402-294-2586

DSN 271-2586

CARCAH OLA, 53 WRS Miami, FL A COM 305-229-4474

DSN 434-3420

FACSFAC VACAPES OAC Oceana, VA COM 804-433-1233

DSN 433-1233

FACSFAC Roosevelt Roads Roosevelt Roads, PR COM 787-865-7007

DSN 831-7007/5202/5203

17 OWS/WXJ Pearl Harbor, HI A COM 808-471-3533

(Satellite Analyst) DSN 471-3533

325 OSS/OSW Tyndall AFB, FL A COM 904-283-2845

 (Southeast Air Defense Sector/WE) DSN 523-2845

Keesler AFB Command Post Keesler AFB, MS COM 228-377-4330

DSN 597-4330

NAVLANTMETOCCEN Norfolk, VA COM 757-444-7583/7750

 DSN 564-7583/7750

JTWC (Typhoon Duty Officer) Pearl Harbor, HI A COM 808-474-2320

Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Monterey, CA COM 831-656-4325

Oceanography Center (FNMOC) DSN 878-4325

(Alternate JTWC)

53 WRS/DO Keesler AFB, MS A COM 228-377-2409

DSN 597-2409

53 WRS (Office) Keesler AFB, MS COM 228-377-3207

DSN 597-3207

53 WRS (Alternate CARCAH) Keesler AFB, MS A COM 228-377-1939

 DSN 597-1939
I-3

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

ARTCC ARTCC PHONE DIRECTORY

ID TMU ADMINISTRATION WATCH DESK 

OPERATIONS MANAGER

ANCHORAGE ZAN 907-269-1108 907-269-1137 907-269-1103

ALBUQUERQUE ZAB 505-856-4547 505-856-4601 505-856-4500

CHICAGO ZAU 630-906-8445 630-906-8221 630-906-8341

BOSTON ZBW 603-879-6666 603-879-6633 603-879-6655

WASHINGTON ZDC 703-771-3471 703-771-3440/1 703-771-3470

DENVER ZDV 303-651-4540 303-651-4101 303-651-4248

FT. WORTH ZFW 817-858-7520 817-858-7500 817-858-7503

HOUSTON ZHU 281-230-5530 281-230-5600 281-230-5560

INDIANAPOLIS ZID 317-247-2267 317-247-2231 317-247-2242

JACKSONVILLE ZJX 904-549-1570 904-549-1501 904-549-1537

KANSAS CITY ZKC 913-254-8502 913-254-8403 913-791-8500

LOS ANGELES ZLA 661-265-8250 661-265-8215 661-265-8205

SALT LAKE CITY ZLC 801-320-2580 801-320-2501 801-320-2560

MIAMI ZMA 305-716-1736 305-716-1500 305-716-1588

MEMPHIS ZME 901-368-8250 901-368-8103 901-368-8234

MINNEAPOLIS ZMP 651-463-5517 651-463-5510 651-463-5580

NEW YORK ZNY 631-468-1010 631-468-1001 631-468-5959

OAKLAND ZOA 510-745-3812 510-745-3000 510-745-3331

CLEVELAND ZOB 440-774-0319 440-774-0320 440-774-0426

SEATTLE ZSE 253-351-3525 253-351-3500 253-351-3520

ATLANTA ZTL 770-210-7697 770-210-7600/3 770-210-7622

HONOLULU HNL N/A 808-840-6100 808-840-6201

SAN JUAN SJU 787-253-8707 787-253-8664/5

TORONTO YYZ 905-676-4590/1/2 Note:

TMO - Traffic Management

Officer

Area Manager - Watch

Supervisor

ARTCC - Air Route Traffic

Control Center

MONTREAL YUL 514-633-3211

MONCTON YOM 506-867-7176

WINNIPEG YWG 204-983-8337

EDMONTON YEG 780-890-8304/5

GANDER YQX 709-651-5225 Canadian ACC - Area Control 

VANCOUVER YVR 604-775-9601/6 Centre
I-4

AIR TRAFFIC TACTICAL OPERATIONS ATT-100 COM 703-904-4403

AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SERVICE COM 703-904-4401

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 800-333-4286

SYSTEM COMMAND CENTER - ATT 2

HERNDON, VA.

CENTRAL ALTITUDE 703-904-4427

RESERVATION FUNCTION (CARF) DSN 725-3331/725-3333

NATIONAL NOTAM OFFICE

HERNDON, VA 703-904-4557

ATCSCC NATIONAL OPERATIONS 703-904-4525/703-904-4953

MANAGER (NOM) 800-333-4286 MILITARY USE ONLY

CANADIAN OFCF (ARU)

 

ADMIN HOURS 613-998-6583

TELECONFERENCE 613-954-7425

613-957-6390

ARU OPS (24 HRS) 613-957-6343 

 (ATCSCC OF CANADA) 613-992-9740

613-992-7940

613-992-9751

ARU FAX 613-957-6412

CENTER WEATHER SERVICE UNITS (CWSU) in FAA Coastal Facilities

Boston ARTCC 603-879-7698

New York ARTCC 631-468-1083

Washington ARTCC 703-771-3480

Jacksonville ARTCC 904-549-1839

Miami ARTCC 305-716-1635

Houston ARTCC 281-230-5676

Los Angeles ARTCC 661-265-8258

Oakland ARTCC 510-745-3457

Seattle ARTCC 253-351-3741

Anchorage ARTCC 907-269-1145
J-1

APPENDIX J

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION LISTING 

CARIBBEAN BASIN 

Abaco AB-a-KO 

Anguilla ang-GWIL-a 

Antigua an-TEE-gua 

Antilles an-TILL-leez 

Aruba ah-ROO-ba 

Azores uh-ZOHRZ 

Bahamas ba-HAHM-ahs 

Barahona ba-ra-HO-na 

Barbuda bar-BOO-dah 

Barranquilla bahr-rahn-KEE-yah

Basse-Terre baha-TER 

Bermuda ber-MYOO-da 

Biloxi bi-LUX-ee 

Bimini BIM-i-ni 

Bonaire ba-NAIR 

Cap Haitien kahp ah-ee-SYAN 

Caracas kah-RAH-kahs 

Caribbean kar-a-BE-an 

Castries KAS-tree 

Cayman kay-MAHN 

Charlotte Amalie SHAR-lot a-MAHL-ye 

Cozumel koh-soo-MEL 

Curacao koor-a-SOH 

Dominica dom-i-NEE-ka 

Eleuthera el-OO-thera 

Exuma ek-SOO-ma 

Flores FLO-rish 

Fort de France for-de-FRAHCS 

Grenada gre-NAY-dah 

Guadaloupe GWAH-deh-loop 

Guatemala gwaht-eh-MAH-la 

Leeward LEE-ward 

Maracaibo mar-a-KYE-boh 

Maracay mah-rah-KYE 

Marigot ma-ree-GOH 

Mayaguez may-yah-GWAYS

Merida MAY-re-thah 

Miami mye-AM-ee 

Montego mon-TEE-go 

Montserrat mont-se-RAT 

Nicaragua nik-a-RAH-gwah 

Ocho Rios OH-cho REE-os 

Oranjestad o-RAHN-yuh-stat 

Paramaribo par-a-MAR-i-boh 

Parguera par-GWER-a 

Pointe-a-Pitre pwan-ta-PEE-tr 

Ponce PON-sa 

Port-au-Prince port-oh-PRINS 

Saba SAH-ba 

Sao Miguel (Azores) soun ME-gel 

St. Croix SAINT croy 

St. Lucia SAINT LOO-she-a 

Soufriere soo-free-AR 

Surinam SOOR-i-nam 

Tampico tam-PEE-ko 

Tela TAY-lah 

Tobago to-BAY-go 

Yucatan yoo-ka-TAN
K-1

APPENDIX K

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

-AAB Data type header for Tropical Weather Outlook 

ADWS Automatic Digital Weather Switch 

AFB Air Force Base 

AFOS Automation of Field Operations and Services 

AFRC Air Force Reserve Command 

AFSATCOM Air Force Satellite Communications System

AFWA Air Force Weather Agency 

AIM Airman's Information Manual

AMOS Automated Meteorological Observing Station

AMSU Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit

AOC Aircraft Operations Center (NOAA)

APT Automatic Picture Transmission 

ARGOS Argos, Inc., a French data collection system 

ARSA Airport Radar Service Area

ARTCC Air Route Traffic Control Center 

ARWO Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer

APUP Associated Principal User Processor (WSR-88D)

ASDL Aircraft-to-Satellite Data Link 

ATC Air Traffic Control 

ATCSCC Air Traffic Control System Command Center

AVHRR Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer

AWDS Automated Weather Distribution System

AWIPS Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System

AWN Automated Weather Network 

-CCARCAH Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination, All Hurricanes

CARF Central Altitude Reservation Function

C.I. Current Intensity 

C-MAN Coastal-Marine Automated Network 

COM Commercial (telephone) 

CONUS Continental United States 

CPHC Central Pacific Hurricane Center 

°C degree/degrees Celsius 
K-2

-DDA Daylight Ascending 

DCS Data Collection System 

deg degree (latitude or longitude) 

Det detachment 

DMSP Defense Meteorological Satellite Program 

DOC Department of Commerce 

DOD Department of Defense 

DOT Department of Transportation 

DPTD departed 

DROP dropsonde/dropwindsonde 

DSN Defense Switched Network (formerly AUTOVON)

DTG date/time group 

-EEDT Eastern Daylight Time 

ESA European Space Agency

ETA Estimated Time of Arrival 

ETD Estimated Time of Departure

-FFAA Federal Aviation Administration 

FACSFAC Fleet Aerial Control and Surveillance Facility 

FCM Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting

 Research 

FCMSSR Federal Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting

 Research 

FCST forecast 

FCSTR forecaster 

FL flight level 

FLT LVL flight level 

FMH Federal Meteorological Handbook 

FNMOC Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (USN)

ft foot/feet 

FTS Federal Telephone System 

-GGAC Global Area Coverage 

GOES Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 

GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

GMS Geostationary Meteorological Satellite 

GTS Global Telecommunications System
K-3

-HHA High Accuracy 

HD High Density 

HDOB High Density Observation

HF High Frequency 

hPa hectopascal/hectopascals 

h hour/hours 

HLS Hurricane Local Statement

HNL Honolulu (CPHC) 

HPC Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (NCEP)

HRD Hurricane Research Division (NOAA/OAR/ERL/AOML)

HRPT High Resolution Picture Transmission 

-IICAO International Civil Aviation Organization 

ICMSSR Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and

 Supporting Research 

ID identification 

IFR Instrument Flight Rules 

INIT initials 

IR Infrared 

IWRS Improved Weather Reconnaissance System 

-JJTWC Joint Typhoon Warning Center 

-Kkm kilometer/kilometers 

KBIX ICAO identifier for Keesler AFB, MS 

KMIA ICAO identifier for Miami, FL 

KMKC ICAO identifier for Kansas City, MO WSFO 

KNEW ICAO identifier for New Orleans, LA WSFO

KNHC ICAO identifier for the Tropical Prediction Center/National 

 Hurricane Center, Miami, FL 

KSFO ICAO identifier for San Francisco, CA 

kt knot/knots 

KWAL ICAO identifier for Wallops Island, VA

-LLAC Local Area Coverage 

LF Light Fine (satellite data terminology)

LI Long Island 

LS Light Smooth (satellite data terminology)
K-4

-Mm meter/meters 

MANOP communications header 

MAX maximum 

METEOSAT European Space Agency geostationary meteorological satellite 

min/MIN minute 

MINOB Minute Observation 

MOU Memorandum of Understanding 

mph mile/miles per hour 

MVMT movement

-NNAPUP Non-associated Principal User Processor (WSR-88D)

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NAVLANTMETOCCEN Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Center

NAVLANTMETOCDET Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Detachment

NAVLANTMETOCFAC Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Facility

NAVMETOCCOM Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command

NAVOCEANO Naval Oceanographic Office

NAVPACMETOCCEN Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center

NAVTRAMETOCFAC Naval Training Meteorology and Oceanography Facility

NCEP National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NOAA/NWS)

NCO NCEP Central Operations

NDBC National Data Buoy Center

NESDIS National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service 

NFDC National Flight Data notice to airman Center

NHC National Hurricane Center 

NHOP National Hurricane Operations Plan 

NLT Not Later Than 

nm nautical miles 

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

NOM National Operations Manager (FAA)

NSC NOAA Science Center

NSTL National Space Technology Laboratories (NASA) 

NWS National Weather Service

-OOAC Oceanic Aircraft Coordinator (USN) 

OB observation 

OFCM Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and

 Supporting Research

OPC Ocean Prediction Center (NCEP)

OSDPD Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution (NESDIS)

OSF Operational Support Facility (WSR-88D)

OSS Operations Support Squadron (USAF)
K-5

-PPA Public Affairs 

PANC ICAO identifier for Anchorage, AK 

PCN Position Confidence Number 

PHFO ICAO identifier for Honolulu, HI 

POD Plan of the Day 

POES Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite

PRF pulse repetition frequency (WSR-88D)

-RRECCO Reconnaissance Code 

RECON reconnaissance 

REQT requested 

RPS routine product set (WSR-88D)

RSMC Regional/Specialized Meteorological Center (WMO)

-SSAB Satellite Analysis Branch 

SFC surface 

SFDF Satellite Field Distribution Facility

SLP Sea Level Pressure 

SSM/I Special Sensor Microwave Imager (DMSP)

SSM/T Special Sensor Microwave Temperature Sounder 

SST Sea Surface Temperature 

SPC Storm Prediction Center (NCEP)

SVD Supplementary Vortex Data

-TTAFB Tropical Analysis Forecast Branch (TPC)

TCA Aviation Tropical Cyclone Advisory

TCD Tropical Cyclone Discussion 

TCPOD Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day 

TD Tropical Depression 

TEMP temperature 

TEMP temporary 

TEMP DROP Dropwindsonde Code 

TF Thermal Fine 

TKO takeoff 

TMO Traffic Management Officer in air route centers and towers

T-number Tropical classification number 

TOVS TIROS-N Operational Vertical Sounder 

TPC Tropical Prediction Center

TS Thermal Smooth 

TWO Tropical Weather Outlook 
K-6

-UUCP unit control position (WSR-88D)

UHF Ultra High Frequency 

US/U.S. United States 

USAF United States Air Force 

USCG United States Coast Guard 

USN United States Navy 

UTC Universal Coordinated Time 

-VVAS VISSR Atmospheric Sounder

VCP volume coverage pattern (WSR-88D) 

VDM Vortex Data Message

VDUC VAS Data Utilization Center 

VIS Visible

VISSR Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer

VMI velocity measurement increment (WSR-88D)

VTPR Vertical Temperature Profile Radiometer 

-WWEFAX Weather Facsimile 

WESTPAC Western Pacific

WMO World Meteorological Organization 

WND wind 

WO Data type header for special tropical disturbance statements 

WRS Weather Reconnaissance Squadron

WS Weather Squadron 

WSD Wind Speed and Direction (data buoy) 

WSFO Weather Service Forecast Office 

WSR-88D Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler

WT Data type header for hurricane bulletins 

WW Data type header for subtropical storm bulletins 

-XXMTD transmitted 

-ZZ Zulu (UTC)
L-1

APPENDIX L 

 

GLOSSARY

-AAgency. Any Federal agency or organization participating in the tropical cyclone warning service.

Airport Radar Service Area (ARSA). Regulatory airspace surrounding designated airports

wherein ATC provides radar vectoring and sequencing on a full-time basis for all IFR and VFR

aircraft. The service provided in an ARSA is called ARSA Service which includes: IFR/IFRstandard IFR separation; IFR/VFR-traffic advisories and conflict resolution; and VFR/VFRtraffic advisories and, as appropriate, safety alert. The Airman's Information Manual (AIM)

contains an explanation of ARSA. The ARSA's are depicted on VFR aeronautical charts.

Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC). The facility responsible for the realtime command, control, and oversight of air traffic activity within the National Airspace System.

The ATCSCC is a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week operation.

Area Manager. Supervisor in charge of air route traffic control center or airport tower, shift to

shift.

-CCenter Fix. The location of the center of a tropical or subtropical cyclone obtained by means other

than reconnaissance aircraft penetration. See also Vortex Fix. 

Controlled Airspace. An airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control service

is provided to IFR flights and to VFR flights in accordance with the airspace classification.

a. Controlled airspace is a generic term that covers Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and

Class E airspace.

b. Controlled airspace is also that airspace within which all aircraft operators are subject to

certain pilot qualifications, operating rules, and equipment requirements in FAR Part 91 (for

specific operating requirements, please refer to FAR Part 91). For IFR operations in any

class of controlled airspace, a pilot must file an IFR flight plan and receive an appropriate

ATC clearance. Each Class B, Class C, and Class D airspace area designated for an airport

contains at least one primary airport around which the airspace is designated (for specific

designations and descriptions of the airspace classes, please refer to FAR Part 71).
L-2

c. Controlled airspace in the United States is designated as follows:

CLASS A: Generally, that airspace from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600,

including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 nautical miles of the coast of the

48 contiguous States and Alaska. Unless otherwise authorized, all persons must operate

their aircraft under IFR.

CLASS B: Generally, that airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the

nations's busiest airports in terms of airport operations or passenger enplanements. The

configuration of each Class B airspace area is individually tailored and consists of a surface

area and two or more layers (some Class B airspaces areas resemble upside-down wedding

cakes), and is designed to contain all published instrument procedures once an aircraft enters

the airspace. An ATC clearance is required for all aircraft to operate in the area, and all

aircraft that are so cleared receive separation services within the airspace. The cloud

clearance requirement for VFR operations is "clear of clouds."

CLASS C: Generally, that airspace from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport

elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control

tower, are serviced by a radar approach control, and that have a certain number of IFR

operations or passenger enplanements. Although the configuration of each Class C area is

individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a surface area with a 5 nautical mile

(NM) radius, an outer circle with a 10 NM radius that extends from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet

above the airport elevation and an outer area. Each person must establish two-way radio

communications with the ATC facility providing air traffic services prior to entering the

airspace and thereafter maintain those communications while within the airspace. VFR

aircraft are only separated from IFR aircraft within the airspace. (See OUTER AREA).

CLASS D: Generally, that airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport

elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control

tower. The configuration of each Class D airspace area is individually tailored and when

instrument procedures are published, the airspace will normally be designed to contain the

procedures. Arrival extensions for instrument approach procedures may be Class D or Class

E airspace. Unless otherwise authorized, each person must establish two-way radio

communications with the ATC facility providing air traffic services prior to entering the

airspace and thereafter maintain those communications while in the airspace. No separation

services are provided to VFR aircraft.

CLASS E: Generally, if the airspace is not Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D, and it is

controlled airspace, it is Class E airspace. Class E airspace extends upward from either the

surface or a designated altitude to the overlying or adjacent controlled airspace. When

designated as a surface area, the airspace will be configured to contain all instrument

procedures. Also in this class are Federal airways, airspace beginning at either 700 or

1,200 AGL used to transition to/from the terminal or en route environment, en route

domestic, and offshore airspace areas designated below 18,000 feet MSL. Unless
L-3

designated at a lower altitude, Class E airspace begins at 14,500 MSL over the United

States, including that airspace overlying the waters within 12 nautical miles of the 48

contiguous States and Alaska, up to, but not including 18,000 MSL, and the airspace above

FL 600.

Cyclone. An atmospheric closed circulation rotating counter-clockwise in the Northern

Hemisphere. 

-EExtratropical cyclone. A synoptic scale low pressure system whose primary energy source is

baroclinic.

Eye. The relatively calm center of the tropical cyclone that is more than one half surrounded by wall

cloud. 

Eye Wall. An organized band of cumuliform clouds immediately surrounding the center of a

tropical cyclone. Eye wall and wall cloud are used synonymously. 

-HHigh Density/High Accuracy (HD/HA) Data. Those data provided by automated airborne

systems--WP-3s or WC-130s equipped with the Improved Weather Reconnaissance System. 

Hurricane/Typhoon. A warm-core tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind

speed (l-min mean) is 64 kt (74 mph) or more. 

Hurricane Season. The portion of the year having a relatively high incidence of hurricanes. The

seasons for the specific areas are as follows: 

& Atlantic, Caribbean, 

and the Gulf of Mexico June 1 to November 30

& Eastern Pacific May 15 to November 30

& Central Pacific June 1 to November 30 

Hurricane Warning Offices. The designated hurricane warning offices follow: 

& Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center, Miami, Florida 

& Central Pacific Hurricane Center, Honolulu, Hawaii 

Hurricane Warning. A warning that sustained winds of 64 kt (74 mph) or higher associated with

a hurricane are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. A hurricane warning can

remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and

exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force. 
L-4

Hurricane Watch. An announcement for specific coastal areas that a hurricane or an incipient

hurricane condition poses a possible threat, generally within 36 hours. 

-IICAO-Controlled Airspace. An airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control

service is provided to IFR flights and to VFR flights in accordance with the airspace

classification. (Note: Controlled airspace is a generic term which covers Air Traffic Service

airspace Classes A, B, C, D, and E).

-MMajor Hurricane. A "major" hurricane is one that is classified as a Category 3 or higher.

Maximum 1-Min Sustained Surface Wind. When applied to a particular weather system, refers

to the highest 1-minute average wind (at an elevation on 10 meters with an unobstructed

exposure) associated with that weather system at a particular point in time.

Micronesia. An area defined by the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the

Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Miles. The term "miles" used in this plan refers to nautical miles (nm) unless otherwise

indicated. 

Mission Identifier. The nomenclature assigned to tropical and subtropical cyclone aircraft

reconnaissance missions for weather data identification. It's an agency-aircraft indicator followed

by a Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination, All Hurricanes (CARCAH) assigned

mission-system indicator. 

-NNational Operations Manager. Supervisor in charge of the overall operation of the Air Traffic

Control System Command Center.

-PPresent Movement. The best estimate of the movement of the center of a tropical cyclone at a

given time and at a given position. This estimate does not reflect the short-period, small-scale

oscillations of the cyclone center. 
L-5

-RReconnaissance Aircraft Sortie. A flight that meets the requirements of the tropical cyclone plan

of the day. 

Relocated. A term used in an advisory to indicate that a vector drawn from the preceding advisory

position to the latest known position is not necessarily a reasonable representation of the

cyclone's movement. 

-SStorm Surge. An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, and

whose height is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that

would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Storm surge is usually estimated by

subtracting the normal or astronomic tide from the observed storm tide. 

Storm Tide. The actual level of sea water resulting from the astronomic tide combined with the

storm surge.

Subtropical Cyclone. A low pressure system that develops over subtropical waters that initially

has a non-tropical circulation but in which some elements of tropical cyclone cloud structure are

present. 

Subtropical Depression. A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind

speed (l-min mean) is 33 kt (38 mph) or less. 

Subtropical Storm. A non-frontal low pressure system that has characteristics of both tropical and

extratropical cyclones.

• The most common type is an upper-level cold low with circulation extending to the surface

layer and maximum sustained winds generally occurring at a radius of about 100 miles or

more from the center. In comparison to tropical cyclones, such systems have a relatively

broad zone of maximum winds that is located farther from the center, and typically have a

less symmetric wind field and distribution of convection. 

• A second type of subtropical cyclone is a mesoscale low originating in or near a frontolyzing

zone of horizontal wind shear, with radius of maximum sustained winds generally less than

30 miles . The entire circulation may initially have a diameter of less than 100 miles. These

generally short-lived systems may be either cold core or warm core. 

Super Typhoon. A "super" typhoon is one that is classified as having winds of 130 kts (150 mph)

or greater.
L-6

Sustained Surface Wind. The 1-minute averaged wind at the 10-meter elevation with an

unobstructed exposure.

Synoptic Surveillance (formerly Synoptic Track). Weather reconnaissance mission flown to

provide vital meteorological information in data sparse ocean areas as a supplement to existing

surface, radar, and satellite data. Synoptic flights better define the upper atmosphere and aid in

the prediction of tropical cyclone motion and intensity. 

-TTraffic Management Specialist. ATCSCC personnel responsible for the active management of

traffic throughout the National Airspace System.

Tropical Cyclone. A warm-core, non-frontal synoptic-scale cyclone, originating over tropical or

subtropical waters, with organized deep convection and a closed surface wind circulation about

a well-defined center.

Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day. A coordinated mission plan that tasks operational weather

reconnaissance requirements during the next 1100 to 1100Z UTC day or as required, describes

reconnaissance flights committed to satisfy both operational and research requirements, and

identifies possible reconnaissance requirements for the succeeding 24-hour period. 

Tropical Depression. A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed

(l-min mean) is 33 kt (38 mph) or less. 

Tropical Disturbance. A discrete tropical weather system of apparently organized

convection--generally 100 to 300 mi in diameter--originating in the tropics or subtropics, having

a nonfrontal migratory character, and maintaining its identity for 24 hours or more. It may or

may not be associated with a detectable perturbation of the wind field.

Tropical Storm. A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (l-min

mean) ranges from 34 kt (39 mph) to 63 kt (73 mph). 

Tropical Storm Warning. A warning for tropical storm conditions including sustained winds

within the range of 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 kt) that are expected in a specified coastal area within

24 hours or less. 

Tropical Storm Watch. An announcement that a tropical storm poses or tropical storm conditions

pose a threat to coastal areas generally within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch should normally

not be issued if the system is forecast to attain hurricane strength. 
L-7

Tropical Wave. A trough or cyclonic curvature maximum in the trade-wind easterlies. The wave

may reach maximum amplitude in the lower middle troposphere or may be the reflection of an

upper tropospheric cold low or equatorial extension of a middle latitude trough. 

Tropical Weather System. A designation for one of a series of tropical weather anomalies. As

such, it is the basic generic designation, which in successive stages of intensification, may be

classified as a tropical disturbance, wave, depression, storm, or hurricane. 

Typhoon/Hurricane. A warm-core tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind

speed (l-min mean) is 64 kt (74 mph) or more.

-UUncontrolled Airspace (Class G Airspace). That portion of the airspace that has not been

designated as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E and within which Air Traffic

Control has neither the authority nor the responsibility for exercising control over air traffic. 

-VVortex Fix. The location of the surface and/or flight level center of a tropical or subtropical cyclone

obtained by reconnaissance aircraft penetration. See Center Fix, also. 

-WWall Cloud. An organized band of cumuliform clouds immediately surrounding the

center of a tropical cyclone. Wall cloud and eye wall are used synonymously.
M-1

APPENDIX M 

DISTRIBUTION

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

Administration Office, Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) 20

Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services (E) 2

Director, National Climatic Data Center (E/CC) 2

Chief, Library and Information Services Division (E/OC4) 4

Chief, Satellite Services Division (E/SP2) 1

Chief, Library Division MASC (MC5) 2

Assistant Administrator for Ocean Svcs and Coastal Zone Management (N) 1

Director, Office of Public Affairs, NOAA (PA) 2

Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (R) 1

Director, Environmental Research Laboratories (R/E/FS) 4

Chief, International Programs (R/E/FS7) 2

Director, AOML Hurricane Research Division (R/E/AO) 5

Director, Program Development and Coordination Staff (R/PDC) 2

Assistant Administrator for Weather (W) 1

Director, National Data Buoy Center (W/DB) 6

Director, National Centers for Environmental Prediction (W/NP) 1

Director, Central Operations (W/NP1) 2

Director, Environmental Modeling Center (W/NP2) 1

Deputy Director, Environmental Modeling Center (W/NP2x1) 1

Director, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (W/NP3) 2

Director, Marine Prediction Center (W/NP4) 2

Director, Tropical Prediction Center (W/NP8) 20

Director, Office of Hydrology (W/OH) 1

Director, Office of Meteorology (W/OM) 1

Chief, International Activities Division (W/IA) 1

Chief, Hydrometeorological Services Core (W/OM12) 20

Director, NWS Eastern Region (W/ER) 50

Director, NWS Central Region (W/CR) 16

Director, NWS Southern Region (W/SR) 56

Director, NWS Western Region (W/WR) 15

Director, NWS Pacific Region (W/PR) 15

NOAA Budget Officer, Office of Management and Budget 1
M-2

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

OFFICE OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF 

Joint Staff/J3/ROD and JRC 2

UNIFIED/SPECIFIED COMMANDS

USACOM/J335 1

USCENTCOM/J3-W 1

USCINCEUR/J3-OD-WE 1

USFORSCOM/FCJ2-WE 1

USCINCPAC/J316 (ENV.GP) 1

USCINCSO/SCJ3-SWO 1

USTRANSCOM/TCJ3/J4-OW 1

USSOCOM/SOJ3-W 1

USSOUTHCOM 1

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

HQ USAF/XOW 3

HQ ACC/DOW 34

HQ AFMC/DOW 2

HQ AFSPC/DOW 5

HQ AFSOC/DOW 1

HQ AMC/DOW 10

HQ AOC/XPPD 1

HQ AETC/TTO 2

HQ AETC/DOTW 10

HQ AU/WE 1

HQ AFWA/XO 6

HQ AFCCC/TECH LIBRARY (DOL) 1

HQ PACAF/DOW 6

HQ USSTRATCOM/J-3615 2

HQ USAFE/DOOW 2

ANG/XOOSW 1

15 OSS/OSW 1

45 SPW/XP and SE 4

24 WS/CC 1

45 WS/CC 3

46 WS/CC 2

88 Weather Squadron 1

78 OSS/OSW 1

325 OSS/OSW 1

3395 TCHTG/TTKO 2
M-3

Phillips Laboratory/GPAS 1

SM-ALC/LHFBB 2

Det 13, 1st Weather Group 2

AFRC

HQ USAF/REO 3

HQ AFRC/DOO 2

HQ AFRC/DOT 2

HQ 22AF/DOT/DOTA 2

403 WG/DO 3

53 WRS 75

CARCAH (OL-A 53 WRS) 10

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 

HQ Department of the Army/DAMI- POI 2

Topographic Engineering Center 1

COE/CEWES-CD-P 1

607th Weather Squadron 1

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

Commandant of the Marine Corps (DCS/Aviation) 12

Oceanographer of the Navy 2

NAVMETOCCOM 5

Commanding Officer, NAVOCEANO (N2513) 75

Commanding Officer, NAVLANTMETOCCEN 2

NAVPACMETOCCEN/JTWC, Pearl Harbor, HI 2

NAVLANTMETOCFAC Jacksonville 1

NAVTRAMETOCFAC Pensacola 1

CINCLANTFLT (N37) 2

CINCPACFLT (N3WX) 1

COMTHIRDFLT 1

COMFITMATAEWWINGLANT, NAS Oceana, VA 1

Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division 2

Office of Naval Research (Code 1122MM) 2

NRL, Stennis Space Center, MS 1

NRL, Atmospheric Division, Monterey, CA 2

OPTEVFOR (Code 314) 1

Coastal System Station (Code 05W) 1

AFWTF, Roosevelt Roads, PR 1
M-4

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

Air Traffic System Requirements Service ARS-1 1

Air Traffic System Requirements Service/Weather ARW-1 1

Air Traffic Operations ATO-1 3

Air Traffic Operations ATO-110 1

Air Traffic Operations ATO-120 3

Air Traffic Resource Management Program ATX-100/ATX-400 2

Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) ATO-200 9

FAA Regional Air Traffic Division Managers

AAL-500 Anchorage 1

ACE-500 Kansas City 1

AEA-500 New York 1

AGL-500 Chicago 1

ANE-500 Boston 1

ANM-500 Seattle 1

ASO-500 Atlanta 1

ASW-500 Dallas/Fort Worth 1

AWP-500 Los Angeles 1

Albuquerque ARTCC 2

Atlanta ARTCC 3

Boston ARTCC 3

Honolulu ARTCC 3

Houston ARTCC 3

Jacksonville ARTCC 3

Los Angeles ARTCC 2

Memphis ARTCC 1

Miami ARTCC 3

New York ARTCC 3

Oakland ARTCC 2

San Juan ARTCC 3

Seattle ARTCC 2

Washington ARTCC 2

AMA-500, Oklahoma City, OK 1

AIA-100/AIA-200 3

AOP-4 1

APA-300 3

ARW-100/ARW-200 2

Houston AIFSS 3

Miami (QAS) AIFSS 2

New York AIFSS 1

San Juan AIFSS 2
M-5

U.S. COAST GUARD 

Commandant, USCG Headquarters (G-OPN-1) 2

Commandant, USCG (G-OPF) 1

Commander, Atlantic Area, USCG 2

Commander, Pacific Area, USCG 2

Commander, Maintenance and Logistics Command Atlantic 2

Commander, Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific 1

Commander, First Coast Guard District 1

Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District 2

Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District 3

Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District 3

Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District 1

Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District 1

Commander, Thirteenth Coast Guard District 1

Commander, Fourteenth Coast Guard District 2

Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard District 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Aquadilla, PR 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Atlantic City, NJ 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Cape Cod, MA 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Clearwater, FL 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Corpus Christi, TX 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Elizabeth City, NC 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Houston, TX 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Kapolei, HI 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Kodiak, AK 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Los Angeles, CA 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, McClellan AFB, CA 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, McKinleyville, CA 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Mt. Clemens, MI 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, New Orleans, LA 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, North Bend, OR 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Opa Locka, FL 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Port Angeles, WA 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, San Diego, CA 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, San Francisco, CA 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Savannah, GA 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Sitka, AK 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Traverse City, MI 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Warrenton, OR 1

Commanding Officer, USCG Reserve Training Center 1

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

World Agriculture Outlook Board 1
M-6

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Emergency Management 1

Office of Biological and Environmental Research 1

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR 

Bureau of Reclamation, Office of Liaison Engineering and Research 1

DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

Office of Advanced Technology 1

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 

Director, Meteorology Program 1

Director, Atmospheric Sciences Division 1

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 912 1

Director, Atmospheric Sciences Division 1

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

FEMA, Mitigation Directorate 2

FEMA Region I 1

FEMA Region IV 2

OTHER U.S.

General Services Administration, Federal Information Center 1

Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress 1

University of Chicago Library, The Joseph Regenstein Library 1

South Florida Water Management District 1

Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center 1

Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Colorado State University 1

Cumberland County Maine Emergency Management Agency 1

Meteorological Services, Inc., Tampa, FL 3

GTE Government Systems 1

Larkin Associates 1

Nash C. Roberts, Jr. Consultants, New Orleans, LA 1

Hurricane and Weather Specialists, Inc., Valrico, FL 1

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA 

Meteorological Operations Division, Canadian Meteorological Centre (AES), Dorval, QU 1

Officer in Charge, METOC Centre, Maritime Command Headquarters, Halifax, NS 1
M-7

Base Meteorological Officer, CFB Greenwood, NS 1

Maritime Weather Centre (AES), Bedford, NS 1

Atmospheric Environment Service, Downsview, ON 1

Transport Canada, Altitude Reservation Unit 2

Transport Canada, Monkton ACC 2

UNITED KINGDOM 

Assistant Director, Head of Defense Services, Meteorological Office 1