As the 2024 hurricane season progresses, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is set to roll out an experimental version of its cone graphic, aimed at providing a more comprehensive understanding of tropical cyclone risk across the continental United States.
Commencing on or around August 15, 2024, the NHC will introduce an experimental cone graphic that incorporates inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings. This initiative stems from recommendations derived from social science research, which underscored the importance of effectively communicating inland wind risk during tropical cyclone events without complicating the existing graphic with excessive data layers.
The new experimental cone graphic will be accessible on the NHC website for both full and intermediate advisories. While it may not be available as immediately as the current operational cone graphic due to the time required to compile complete inland watch and warning information, it should generally be accessible within 30 minutes of the advisory release.
Crucially, the current operational cone graphic will remain unaffected, and there will be no alterations to how coastal watches and warnings are presented on that graphic.
Key features of the experimental cone graphic include:
- Inclusion of Inland Watches and Warnings: Unlike the previous version, the experimental cone will display tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings over inland areas in addition to coastal regions.
- Enhanced Visual Representation: The experimental graphic will utilize white transparent shading for the entire 5-day forecast, streamlining the presentation without compromising clarity.
NHC’s decision to introduce this experimental cone graphic is rooted in a desire to improve risk communication for wind hazards associated with tropical cyclones. The move follows a comprehensive investigation led by various law enforcement agencies, including the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team, Criminal Investigative Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police.
As the new graphic enters its experimental phase, stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback, which will be instrumental in shaping future decisions regarding operational implementation.
For further inquiries or feedback, you are invited to contact NHC Public Affairs at [email protected]. Additionally, a request for comments will be made available on the NHC website at hurricanes.gov to facilitate user input.
