The Hurricane Watch Net - (How To Read The Public Advisory)

Tropical Cyclone Public Advisory Format

The TCP begins with a headline, then followed by these sections: summary, watches and warnings, discussion and outlook, hazards, and next advisory. Each section of the TCP begins with a specific header text string. Each header is preceded by two blank lines, and is followed by a line of dashes (to give the appearance of an underline).

Summary. This section summarizes the essential facts of the tropical cyclone (location, intensity, etc.) in a fixed format.

Header (example): SUMMARY OF 500 AM EDT...0900 UTC...INFORMATION
In the summary section header, UTC time will always be given with four characters (e.g., 0300 UTC). No other numerical values in this section will appear with leading zeros.
The summary section follows a fixed format, containing lines for the location, geographical reference(s), maximum winds, direction of movement, and minimum pressure. The section will always contain at least one geographical reference, but not more than two. Geographical reference lines begin with the keyword ABOUT. In the summary section, all directions are abbreviated (e.g., N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, etc.) If the forward speed is zero, the motion will be given as STATIONARY.

Watches and Warnings. This is a free text section that makes use of keywords to identify specific content regarding watches and warnings. Watch/warning definitions and call to action statements may also appear in this section.

Header: WATCHES AND WARNINGS
Whenever watches or warnings are issued, continue in effect, or are discontinued, the watch/warning section will contain the following two keyword strings:

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY...

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...
Changes to watches and warnings since the last TCP or TCU (Tropical Cyclone Update) will be listed in paragraph form, one change per paragraph.
The summary of active watches and warnings will appear as a bulleted list, grouped by warning type. Each grouping will begin with a statement such as A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR.... Each watch or warning segment that follows will appear on a separate line beginning with an asterisk. However, watches or warnings that encompass entire islands or jurisdictions may be grouped together as a single segment, e.g.:

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* ANTIGUA...BARBUDA...ANGUILLA...AND ST. MARTIN

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE CUBAN PROVINCES OF GUANTANAMO AND HOLGUIN
When a watch or warning is introduced for a new major geographical area, the watch/warning section should contain a definition of the watch or warning. These definitions may also be included at other times. The definitions will appear after the list of active watches and warnings in effect. Other statements (e.g., "INTERESTS IN THE LEEWARD ISLANDS SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF BILL...") may also appear in this location.

Discussion and outlook. This is a free text section with no keywords. It will describe the current location and motion, maximum winds, extent of hurricane and tropical storm winds, and minimum pressure. It will provide a general outlook for the track and intensity of the cyclone over the next 24-48 hours.

Header: DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK

Hazards. A free text section that uses keywords to identify the typical threats of a tropical cyclone.

Header: HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
Most paragraphs in this section will begin with one of the following keywords: STORM SURGE, WIND, RAINFALL, TORNADOES, SURF, or OTHER.

Next advisory: This free text section will indicate the time of the next complete advisory, and intermediate advisory(ies), if any. If this is the last advisory, and the system will be discussed subsequently in another NWS product, that product will be identified.

Header: NEXT ADVISORY

TCP Example 1

ZCZC MIATCPAT1 ALL
TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM

BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM ANA ADVISORY NUMBER   6
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL       AL012015
500 AM EDT SAT MAY 09 2015

...ANA TRANSITIONS TO A TROPICAL STORM WHILE IT MOVES SLOWLY
NORTH-NORTHWESTWARD TOWARD THE CAROLINAS...


SUMMARY OF 500 AM EDT...0900 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...32.4N 77.6W
ABOUT 105 MI...170 KM SSE OF CAPE FEAR NORTH CAROLINA
ABOUT 115 MI...190 KM SE OF MYRTLE BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60 MPH...95 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNW OR 340 DEGREES AT 3 MPH...6 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...998 MB...29.47 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

None.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* South Santee River South Carolina to Cape Lookout

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Edisto Beach South Carolina to South of South Santee River

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within
12-24 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, in this case within 24 hours.

Interests elsewhere in eastern North Carolina should monitor the
progress of Ana.

For storm information specific to your area, including possible
inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your
local National Weather Service forecast office.


DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
At 500 AM EDT (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Ana was
located near latitude 32.4 North, longitude 77.6 West. Ana is moving
toward the north-northwest near 3 mph (6 km/h).  A turn toward the
northwest and then back to the north at a slightly faster forward
speed is expected over the next 48 hours.  On the forecast track,
the center will be near the coasts of South and North Carolina by
Sunday morning.

Data from NOAA Doppler weather radars indicate that maximum
sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts.
Although Ana has made the transition to a tropical storm, little
additional strengthening is forecast through today.  A gradual
weakening trend is expected to begin by tonight or Sunday morning.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (205 km)
from the center. During the past couple of hours, the Frying Pan
Shoals NOAA buoy measured a sustained wind of 41 mph (66 km/h) and
a gust to 56 mph (91 km/h).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 998 mb (29.47 inches).


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
WIND:  Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning
area, and possible within the watch area, by this afternoon or
evening.

STORM SURGE:  The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause
normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters.
The water could reach 1 to 2 ft above ground at times of high tide
in coastal areas from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina southward
through South Carolina. For information specific to your area,
please see products issued by your local National Weather Service
forecast office.

RAINFALL:  Tropical Storm Ana is expected to produce rainfall
accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, with isolated amounts of 5 inches,
over eastern portions of North Carolina and South Carolina through
Monday.

SURF:  Swells generated by Ana are affecting portions of the
southeastern U.S. coast.  These swells will likely cause life-
threatening surf and rip currents.  Please see statements issued by
your local National Weather Service forecast office.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
Next intermediate advisory at 800 AM EDT.
Next complete advisory at 1100 AM EDT.

$$
Forecaster Stewart

NNNN

TCP Example 2 (All caps format prior to 2015)

000
WTPZ35 KNHC 100238
TCPEP5

BULLETIN
HURRICANE LINDA ADVISORY NUMBER  12
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   EP152009
800 PM PDT WED SEP 09 2009

...LINDA BECOMES A HURRICANE...THE SIXTH HURRICANE OF THE EASTERN
PACIFIC SEASON...

 
SUMMARY OF 800 PM PDT...0300 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...17.1N 129.4W
ABOUT 1325 MI...2135 KM WSW OF THE SOUTHERN TIP OF BAJA CALIFORNIA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...80 MPH...130 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 320 DEGREES AT 6 MPH...9 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...984 MB...29.06 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT.


DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 800 PM PDT...0300 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE LINDA WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 17.1 NORTH...LONGITUDE 129.4 WEST.  LINDA IS MOVING 
TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 6 MPH...9 KM/H...AND THIS GENERAL MOTION
IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
 
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 80 MPH...130 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS EXPECTED TONIGHT AND
THURSDAY...WITH LINDA FORECAST TO WEAKEN THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 25 MILES...35 KM...FROM
THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO
125 MILES...205 KM.
 
ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 984 MB...29.06 INCHES.


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
NONE.


NEXT ADVISORY
--------------
NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY...200 AM PDT.

$$
FORECASTER BEVEN
NNNN