Filling Gaps in the NHC Product Suite without Changing the Message.

Coastal residents receive a general alert of a hurricane threat five to six days in advance when the National Hurricane Center track-uncertainty cone points at the coast. But it’s much later – nominally 48 hours before the weather becomes unsafe – that detailed alerts begin, usually in the form of hurricane or tropical storm watches. Critical decisions need to be made by government agencies, businesses, and individuals well in advance of that two-day window, however. This talk will examine a case study demonstrating the need for detailed alerting further in advance. Additionally, the talk will explain an effort improve the clarity and usability of the NHC advisory package by aggregating information from three text products, two graphics, and adding explanatory text.