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Subject: I9) What computer software is available for tracking tropical cyclones?

Contributed by Tom Berg


(Note that this does not constitute an endorsement of any product.)


Free Tropical Cyclone Tracking programs


  • JStrack (Windows/UNIX) -- JStrack is a freeware hurricane tracking program for Unix and Windows 9x/ME/NT/2k/XP.

    Version 3.3.2 on 11 Oct 2010

    Key features include:

    • automatic data updates via incoming e-mail (WX-ATLAN) or FTP from NHC server (a filter "reads" the NHC products and extracts the data)
    • three maps, courtesy of Ron Murphy, NWS Birmingham: Overall picture, US East Coast, and US Gulf Coast + S. FL.
    • plots wind radii (default is for current/forecast positions only). After all, you need to know where the storm's WINDS are, not just where the eye is.
    • plots NHC probabilities data (via menu---see next item)
    • menu associated with any past/current storm position from which you can plot/remove forecast positions, wind radii, and probabilities, view details on the storm (wind speeds, course, etc.), view the NHC products associated with that time/position, and so on.
    • given user's home coordinates, 'X' plotted at that point on the map
    • given user's home coordinates, JStrack can warn the user if the storm is currently within a given number (def. 60) of nautical miles, or is forecast to come within that distance (this part assumes a straight line between forecast points, and should not be considered 100% accurate!)
    • ability to run user-defined commands when storm data is updated for a storm currently on the screen and/or for a new storm, and/or for situations where the storm is, or is forecast to be, within the above distance in nautical miles. This can be used to wake you up in a situation where the storm is a potential threat, and missing an advisory could put you in a dangerous situation. It has also been used by at least three web sites to do a screen capture and update a web page (for 24x7 ops).

    For more info, screen pics, etc., see http://jstrack.org/jstrack or contact Jim Graham.


Priced Tropical Cyclone Tracking programs


  • HurrTrak -- Shareware version of most detailed tracking software available. Price listed is for latest full version, 10.0, actual price.

    HURRTRAK

    EM/Pro 2014
    Price $ 999.00
    S&H $ 27.00

    RM/Pro 2014
    Price $2125.00
    S&H $ 27.00

    Online internet service for advisories - YES
    STORMINFO 2014
    $1295.00 per year
    for online customers $295.00 per year

    Web site for download --http://www.pcwp.com/


  • Tracking the Eye -- View the movement of the storm on a map of the eastern United States and the Caribbean. Graph and full color printing. Track storm information including type of storm, storm coordinates, wind speed and pressure, direction and speed of travel, date and time of coordinates, damage, and more. Print your storm map. Track up to 40 storms at once. Includes data for over 750 historical storms from 1900 to 1996.

    Tracking The Eye
    Price - as low as $14.95 per year
    Platforms -- Windows 8/7/XP/Vista, iPhone and iPad apps, Android, and Windows Phone 7
    Online Internet service for advisories - YES
    $19.95 per year
    Web site for download -- http://www.hurricanesoftware.com/

    iPhone Apps
    Hurricane Tracker
    Latest version 4.1, May 3, 2014
    $2.99
    Yearly updates? - YES
    Web site for download

    Hurricane Pro
    Latest version 4.3, March 18, 2014
    $2.99
    Yearly updates? - YES
    Web site for download

    Hurricane by American Red Cross
    Latest version 2.0, Feb. 25 18, 2014
    Free
    Yearly updates? - YES
    Web site for download

Last Updated May 27, 2016

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