Hurricane tracks and positions provide information on where the storm has been, where it is currently located, and where it is predicted to go. Each storm location is depicted by the sustained wind speed, according to the Saffir-Simpson Scale. It should be noted that the Saffir-Simpson Scale only applies to hurricanes in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins, however all storms are still symbolized using that classification for consistency.

Data Source

This data is provided by NOAA National Hurricane Center (NHC) for the Central+East Pacific and Atlantic, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center for the West+Central Pacific and Indian basins. For more disaster-related live feeds visit the Disaster Web Maps & Feeds ArcGIS Online Group.

Sample Data

See Sample Layer Item for sample data during inactive Hurricane Season!

Update Frequency

The Aggregated Live Feeds methodology checks the Source for updates every 15 minutes. Tropical cyclones are normally issued every six hours at 5:00 AM EDT, 11:00 AM EDT, 5:00 PM EDT, and 11:00 PM EDT (or 4:00 AM EST, 10:00 AM EST, 4:00 PM EST, and 10:00 PM EST).
Public advisories for Eastern Pacific tropical cyclones are normally issued every six hours at 2:00 AM PDT, 8:00 AM PDT, 2:00 PM PDT, and 8:00 PM PDT (or 1:00 AM PST, 7:00 AM PST, 1:00 PM PST, and 7:00 PM PST).
Intermediate public advisories may be issued every 3 hours when coastal watches or warnings are in effect, and every 2 hours when coastal watches or warnings are in effect and land-based radars have identified a reliable storm center. Additionally, special public advisories may be issued at any time due to significant changes in warnings or in a cyclone. For the NHC data source you can subscribe to RSS Feeds.
North Pacific and North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone warnings are updated every 6 hours, and South Indian and South Pacific Ocean tropical cyclone warnings are routinely updated every 12 hours. Times are set to Zulu/UTC.

Scale/Resolution

The horizontal accuracy of these datasets is not stated but it is important to remember that tropical cyclone track forecasts are subject to error, and that the effects of a tropical cyclone can span many hundreds of miles from the center.

Area Covered

World

Glossary

Forecast location: Represents the official NHC forecast locations for the center of a tropical cyclone. Forecast center positions are given for projections valid 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after the forecast's nominal initial time. Click here for more information. Forecast points from the JTWC are valid 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours after the forecast’s initial time.
Forecast track: This product aids in the visualization of an NHC official track forecast, the forecast points are connected by a red line. The track lines are not a forecast product, as such, the lines should not be interpreted as representing a specific forecast for the location of a tropical cyclone in between official forecast points. It is also important to remember that tropical cyclone track forecasts are subject to error, and that the effects of a tropical cyclone can span many hundreds of miles from the center. Click here for more information.
The Cone of Uncertainty: Cyclone paths are hard to predict with absolute certainty, especially days in advance. The cone represents the probable track of the center of a tropical cyclone and is formed by enclosing the area swept out by a set of circles along the forecast track (at 12, 24, 36 hours, etc). The size of each circle is scaled so that two-thirds of the historical official forecast errors over a 5-year sample fall within the circle. Based on forecasts over the previous 5 years, the entire track of a tropical cyclone can be expected to remain within the cone roughly 60-70% of the time. It is important to note that the area affected by a tropical cyclone can extend well beyond the confines of the cone enclosing the most likely track area of the center. Click here for more information. Now includes 'Danger Area' Polygons from JTWC, detailing US Navy Ship Avoidance Area when Wind speeds exceed 34 Knots!
Coastal Watch/Warning: Coastal areas are placed under watches and warnings depending on the proximity and intensity of the approaching storm.
- Tropical Storm Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding. The watch does not mean that tropical storm conditions will occur. It only means that these conditions are possible.
- Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding.
- Hurricane Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding. The watch does not mean that hurricane conditions will occur. It only means that these conditions are possible.
- Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

Revisions

July 23, 2026: Added ITCDVLP and IDVLBL fields to Forecast Position layer to differentiate storms based on basins.
Mar 13, 2025: Altered 'Forecast Error Cone' layer to include 'Danger Area' with updated symbology.
Nov 20, 2023: Added Event Label to 'Forecast Position' layer, showing arrival time and wind speed localized to user's location.
Mar 27, 2022: Added UID, Max_SS, Max_Wind, Max_Gust, and Max_Label fields to ForecastErrorCone layer.

This map is provided for informational purposes and is not monitored 24/7 for accuracy and currency. Always refer to NOAA or JTWC sources for official guidance.

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