History of National Hurricane Center in Timeline

The National Hurricane Center (NHC), a division of the U.S. NOAA/National Weather Service, monitors and forecasts tropical weather systems within designated areas of the northeast Pacific and northern Atlantic Oceans. Located in Miami, Florida, the NHC plays a crucial role in providing timely and accurate information about hurricanes and tropical storms, helping to protect lives and property through its forecasting and warning services.

1902: Hurricane warning services shift to Washington, D.C.

In 1902, the hurricane warning services, previously based in Jamaica and Cuba, were shifted to Washington, D.C. This marked a relocation of the central office, which later evolved into the National Meteorological Center and Weather Prediction Center, assuming hurricane warning and advisory responsibilities.

1935: Regional hurricane offices assume warning responsibility; Atlantic hurricane season established.

In 1935, the hurricane warning and advisory responsibilities were transferred to regional hurricane offices. The concept of the Atlantic hurricane season was established to closely 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 moves to Miami, Florida.

In 1943, the hurricane warning office in Jacksonville moved to Miami, Florida, marking a significant relocation of the hurricane warning services.

1947: Tropical cyclone naming begins with Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet.

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

1950: Miami Hurricane Warning Office begins preparing annual hurricane season summary articles.

In 1950, the Miami Hurricane Warning Office began preparing annual hurricane season summary articles. This marked the start of formal documentation and analysis of each hurricane season's activity.

1953: United States Weather Bureau begins naming storms with human names.

In 1953, the United States Weather Bureau began naming storms that reached tropical storm intensity with human names. This was a shift from the previous phonetic alphabet system and provided a more easily understandable naming convention for the public.

1954: Hurricane advisories forecast one day into the future.

In 1954, the forecasts within hurricane advisories were extended to one day into the future. This improvement provided more lead time for preparations and warnings.

July 1, 1956: National Hurricane Information Center established in Miami, Florida.

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

July 1, 1958: Miami Hurricane Warning Office moves to the Aviation Building.

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

1958: Availability of tropical cyclone reports from the Atlantic basin.

Since 1958, a tropical cyclone report is issued on every tropical cyclone in the Atlantic basin.

1961: Hurricane advisories forecast two days into the future.

In 1961, hurricane advisories were extended to forecast two days into the future, offering an extended preparation window.

1964: Hurricane advisories forecast three days into the future; Miami HWO moves to University of Miami campus; tropical cyclone reports adopt modern format.

In 1964, hurricane advisories started forecasting three days into the future. The Miami Hurricane Warning Office (HWO) moved to the campus of the University of Miami, and the HWO tropical cyclone reports adopted their modern format.

1965: Miami HWO referred to as the NHC.

In 1965, the Miami HWO was referred to as the NHC, marking a change in nomenclature for the office.

1967: Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch (TAFB) created.

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

1973: National Meteorological Center gains advisory responsibility for inland tropical depressions.

In 1973, the National Meteorological Center (renamed the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center) gained advisory responsibility for tracking and publicizing inland tropical depressions. This enhanced the center's role in monitoring and communicating about these weather events.

1977: World Meteorological Organization assumes control of the Atlantic hurricane naming list.

In 1977, the World Meteorological Organization assumed control of the Atlantic hurricane naming list. This change brought international standardization to the process of naming hurricanes.

1978: NHC offices move off the campus of the University of Miami.

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

1979: Male names added to the hurricane naming list.

In 1979, male names were added to the hurricane naming list, diversifying the naming conventions.

1983: Hurricane warning offices remained active.

In 1983, the hurricane warning offices remained active, continuing their role in providing warnings and advisories.

1984: NHC separated from the Miami Weather Service Forecast Office.

In 1984, the NHC was separated from the Miami Weather Service Forecast Office. This change meant the meteorologist in charge at Miami was no longer in a supervisory position over the hurricane center director, allowing for more focused leadership.

1987: Lixion Avila began working at the NHC.

In 1987, Lixion Avila began his career at the NHC, marking the start of a long tenure.

1988: NHC gains responsibility for eastern Pacific tropical cyclones.

In 1988, the NHC gained responsibility for eastern Pacific tropical cyclones after the former Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center in San Francisco was decommissioned. This expanded the NHC's area of responsibility.

1988: Availability of tropical cyclone reports from the Eastern Pacific Ocean basin.

Since 1988, a tropical cyclone report is issued on every tropical cyclone in the Eastern Pacific Ocean basin.

1992: Hurricane Andrew damages NHC's radar and anemometer.

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew blew the WSR-57 weather radar and the anemometer off the roof of the NHC and the Miami State Weather Forecast offices, causing significant damage to the center's infrastructure.

April 1993: WSR-88D NEXRAD system installed near Metro Zoo.

In April 1993, the damaged radar was replaced with a WSR-88D NEXRAD system. The radar was installed near Metro Zoo, near where Hurricane Andrew made landfall.

1995: Hurricane specialists within the HSU are the chief meteorologists.

From 1995 to 2010, the hurricane specialists within the Hurricane Specialist Unit (HSU) are the chief meteorologists that predict the actions of tropical storms.

1995: NHC moves into new hurricane-resistant facility and is renamed the Tropical Prediction Center.

In 1995, the NHC moved into a new hurricane-resistant facility on the campus of Florida International University, capable of withstanding 130 mph winds. The center's name was also changed to the Tropical Prediction Center (TPC).

1999: Stacy Stewart began working at the NHC.

In 1999, Stacy Stewart began working at the NHC, commencing his career at the center.

1999: Preliminary Reports formally known as reports.

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

2001: Hurricane advisories forecast five days into the future.

In 2001, hurricane advisories began to forecast five days into the future, providing significantly more advance warning time.

2001: Joint Hurricane Testbed (JHT) established.

Since 2001, the Joint Hurricane Testbed (JHT) is a joint operation between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and United States Weather Research Program to speed up the transfer of tropical cyclone-related research into forecast operations.

2008: NHC budget for the fiscal year was $6.8 million.

In 2008, the budget for the NHC was $6.8 million. The NHC staff consisted of 66 members including 12 managers. The NHC is one of nine national centers which compose the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP).

October 1, 2010: Tropical Prediction Center renamed the 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: Hurricane specialists within the HSU are the chief meteorologists.

From 1995 to 2010, the hurricane specialists within the Hurricane Specialist Unit (HSU) are the chief meteorologists that predict the actions of tropical storms.

2013: Hydrometeorological Prediction Center renamed for a second time.

In 2013, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center was renamed for a second time, continuing its evolution and adaptation to changing needs.

2015: Goal for numerical weather prediction models improvement.

By 2015, the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program's (HFIP) five-year goal is 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: Senior hurricane specialist Lixion Avila retired after working at the NHC since 1987.

On April 30, 2020, senior hurricane specialist Lixion Avila retired after working at the NHC since 1987, marking the end of a long career at the center.

2020: Goal for tropical cyclone track forecasting and intensity guidance improvement.

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

January 3, 2022: Senior hurricane specialist Stacy Stewart retired after working at the NHC since 1999.

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

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