About the National Hurricane Center
Bill Read, Director
Ed Rappaport, Deputy Director
Ahsha Tribble, Executive Officer
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) maintains a continuous watch on
tropical cyclones over the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and
the Eastern Pacific from 15 May through November 30. The Center
prepares and distributes hurricane watches and warnings for the
general public, and also prepares and distributes marine and military
advisories for other users. During the "off-season" NHC provides
training for U.S. emergency managers and representatives from many
other countries that are affected by tropical cyclones. NHC also
conducts applied research to evaluate and improve hurricane
forecasting techniques, and is involved in public awareness
programs.
NHC also contains the Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination, All
Hurricanes (CARCAH) unit. It is a small three person unit, an
Operating Location of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
(Hurricane Hunters) out of
Keesler Air Force Base
near Biloxi, Mississippi. CARCAH's mission is to coordinate all aerial
reconnaissance requirements at NHC (Atlantic requirements) and at the
Central Pacific Hurricane Center (Central Pacific requirements), then
task the flying units to meet these requirements.
Data from the reconnaissance aircraft (normally a WC-130) is fed
directly to CARCAH via satellite down link. It is quality controlled
then provided directly to the hurricane specialist for use in the
forecast and warning process. It is also entered into the world
weather networks.
During the winter season, CARCAH also coordinates the aerial
reconnaissance requirements in support of the National Winter Storms
Operations Plan, which provides for flights off the U.S. east coast
and over the Gulf of Mexico when severe winter storms are expected.
The data is again received at CARCAH and quality controlled before it
is submitted to the National
Centers for Environmental Prediction. It is then included in their
suite of computer weather prediction models.
Learn more about what's involved in making a Hurricane Forecast.
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