History of National Hurricane Center in Timeline

The National Hurricane Center (NHC), a division of NOAA/National Weather Service, monitors and forecasts tropical weather systems in the northeast Pacific and northern Atlantic oceans. Located in Miami, Florida, it covers areas between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west, extending poleward to specific parallels in both oceans. The NHC plays a crucial role in predicting and tracking hurricanes and tropical storms.

1902: Hurricane Warning Services Shifted to Washington, D.C.

In 1902, the hurricane warning services, previously based in Jamaica (1898) and Cuba (1899), shifted to Washington, D.C. This marked a centralization of hurricane forecasting efforts under the United States Signal Corps and United States Weather Bureau.

1935: Regional Hurricane Offices Take Over, Atlantic Hurricane Season Established

In 1935, responsibility for hurricane warning/advisory was transferred to regional hurricane offices. Also in 1935, the concept of the Atlantic hurricane season was established to monitor tropical cyclones during specific times of the year, and hurricane advisories were issued every six hours by these regional offices.

1943: Jacksonville Hurricane Warning Office Moved to Miami

In 1943, the Jacksonville hurricane warning office was relocated to Miami, Florida, marking a shift in the geographical center for hurricane monitoring.

1947: Tropical Cyclone Naming Began

In 1947, Atlantic tropical cyclones began to be named using the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet, introducing a standardized system for identifying and tracking storms.

1950: Miami Hurricane Warning Office Started Preparing Annual Hurricane Season Summaries

In 1950, the Miami Hurricane Warning Office initiated the preparation of annual hurricane season summary articles, formalizing the documentation of hurricane activity.

1953: Storms Named with Human Names

In the 1953 Atlantic season, the United States Weather Bureau started naming storms that reached tropical storm intensity with human names, moving away from the phonetic alphabet system.

1954: Hurricane Advisory Forecasts Extended to One Day

In 1954, forecasts within hurricane advisories were extended to one day into the future, increasing the lead time for warnings.

July 1, 1956: National Hurricane Information Center Established

On July 1, 1956, the National Hurricane Information Center was established in Miami, Florida, serving as a central repository for all hurricane-related information from the United States Weather Bureau.

July 1, 1958: Miami HWO Moved to the Aviation Building

On July 1, 1958, the Miami Hurricane Warning Office (HWO) relocated from Lindsey Hopkins Hotel to the Aviation Building, which was 4 miles (6.4 km) to the northwest.

1958: Tropical Cyclone Report

Since 1958, the agency issues a tropical cyclone report on every tropical cyclone in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Ocean basins, which are available.

1961: Hurricane Advisory Forecasts Extended to Two Days

In 1961, forecasts within hurricane advisories were extended to two days into the future, providing more advance warning.

1964: Hurricane Advisory Forecasts Extended to Three Days

In 1964, hurricane advisory forecasts were extended to three days into the future. Also, the Miami HWO moved to the University of Miami campus, and the Miami HWO tropical cyclone reports took on their modern format.

1965: Miami HWO Referred to as NHC

In 1965, the Miami Hurricane Warning Office (HWO) was referred to as the NHC, marking an informal shift in nomenclature.

1967: Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch Created

In 1967, the Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch (TAFB) was created as part of the National Hurricane Center. It is responsible for high seas analyses and forecasts for tropical portions of the Atlantic and Pacific.

1973: NMC Gained Advisory Responsibility for Inland Tropical Depressions

In 1973, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) gained advisory responsibility for tracking and publicizing inland tropical depressions, extending the scope of their warnings.

1977: World Meteorological Organization Assumed Control of Atlantic Hurricane Naming List

In 1977, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) assumed control of the Atlantic hurricane naming list, standardizing the process internationally.

1978: NHC Moved off University of Miami Campus

In 1978, the NHC's offices relocated off the campus of the University of Miami to the IRE Financial Building, situated across U.S. Highway 1.

1979: Male Names Added to Hurricane List

In the 1979 season, male names were included in the hurricane naming list for the first time, diversifying the previously all-female naming convention.

1983: Hurricane Warning Offices Remained Active

In 1983, the hurricane warning offices remained active.

1984: NHC Separated from Miami Weather Service Forecast Office

In 1984, the NHC was separated from the Miami Weather Service Forecast Office, establishing an independent leadership structure for the hurricane center.

1987: Lixion Avila joined NHC

In 1987, Lixion Avila started working at the NHC.

1988: NHC Gained Responsibility for Eastern Pacific Tropical Cyclones

In 1988, the NHC assumed responsibility for eastern Pacific tropical cyclones after the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center in San Francisco was decommissioned, expanding its area of coverage.

1988: Tropical Cyclone Report

Since 1988, the agency issues a tropical cyclone report on every tropical cyclone in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Ocean basins, which are available.

1992: Hurricane Andrew Damaged NHC Equipment

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew destroyed the WSR-57 weather radar and the anemometer on the roof of the NHC/Miami State Weather Forecast offices, highlighting the vulnerability of forecasting infrastructure.

April 1993: WSR-88D NEXRAD System Installed

In April 1993, a WSR-88D NEXRAD system was installed near Metro Zoo, close to where Hurricane Andrew had made landfall, replacing the radar damaged during the storm.

1995: NHC Hurricane Specialists Role

From 1995 through 2010, the hurricane specialists within the Hurricane Specialist Unit (HSU) serve as the chief meteorologists predicting tropical storm actions.

1995: NHC Moved to New Facility and Renamed Tropical Prediction Center

In 1995, the NHC moved to a new hurricane-resistant facility on the campus of Florida International University. Also in 1995, it was renamed the Tropical Prediction Center, marking a change in its official designation.

1999: Stacy Stewart joined NHC

In 1999, Stacy Stewart started working at the NHC.

1999: Tropical Cyclone Report

Up until 1999, the reports of the tropical cyclones were formally known as Preliminary Reports.

2001: Hurricane Advisory Forecasts Extended to Five Days

In 2001, hurricane advisory forecasts were extended to five days into the future, further enhancing the advance warning time for potential impacts.

2001: Joint Hurricane Testbed (JHT) established

Since 2001, the Joint Hurricane Testbed (JHT) has funded 62 initiatives, with an annual budget of between $1.0 and $1.5 million, to speed up the transfer of tropical cyclone-related research into forecast operations.

2008: NHC Budget and Staffing

For the fiscal year of 2008, the budget for the NHC was $6.8 million. The NHC staff has 66 members including 12 managers.

October 1, 2010: Tropical Prediction Center Renamed NHC

On October 1, 2010, the Tropical Prediction Center was renamed the NHC. The group formerly known as the NHC became known as the Hurricane Specialist Unit (HSU).

2010: NHC Hurricane Specialists Role

From 1995 through 2010, the hurricane specialists within the Hurricane Specialist Unit (HSU) serve as the chief meteorologists predicting tropical storm actions.

2013: Hydrometeorological Prediction Center Renamed

In 2013, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center was renamed for a second time.

2015: Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program Goal

By 2015, the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program's (HFIP) five-year goal was to lead to a 20 percent improvement within the numerical weather prediction models provided by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction to NHC.

April 30, 2020: Lixion Avila Retired from NHC

On April 30, 2020, senior hurricane specialist Lixion Avila retired after working at the NHC since 1987.

2020: Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program Goal

By 2020, the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program's (HFIP) goal was to lead to a 50 percent improvement within tropical cyclone track forecasting and intensity guidance.

January 3, 2022: Stacy Stewart Retired from NHC

On January 3, 2022, senior hurricane specialist Stacy Stewart retired from the NHC after working there since 1999. He retired due to surgeries and post-surgical effects after being injured in Iraq.