Is a homogeneous global record of TC position and intensity possible?

The intent of the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) project is to overcome data availability issues and to freely disseminate this global dataset of tropical cyclone data. This goal is being achieved by working directly with all the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centers, other international centers and the research community to create a global best track dataset that aggregates storm information from these multiple centers into one product and archives the data for public use. In combining track and intensity estimates from many sources, this centralized collection of tropical cyclone data provides a more complete global climatology and insight into the data uncertainty – a critical consideration for climate analyses.

The data providers – those most familiar with best track data – have yet to publish any official summary of best track data quality. In lieu of such statements, misuse of best track data has gone unanswered.

This work is a procedural assessment to document historical tropical cyclone observing systems and practices used to determine intensity. The final result will be an authoritative assessment of the data quality from the standpoint of procedural changes and technological innovations in observing methods. Recommendations and caveats are being contributed basin-by-basin by each World Meteorological Organization tropical cyclone forecast agency on the appropriate period of use for frequency and intensity data for climate studies.