How to Make a Hurricane Weather Map

The one good thing that can be said about hurricanes is that these deadly storms can be predicted and mapped well in advance of their arrival, allowing people to get out of harm's way. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, more than 54% of Americans live on the coasts and can be affected by these deadly storms. If you are in a coastal area, it is important to keep tabs on the track of any hurricane that might be headed your way. One of the best ways to stay up to date is by making your own hurricane weather map.

Things You'll Need

• Blank hurricane tracking chart
• Colored markers or grease pencils

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Instructions

• 1

  Download a hurricane tracking map for your general area from the National Hurricane Center web site. Print a copy of your blank tracking map. Take it to a local copy store with a large format printer if you wish to create a map larger than your home printer can accommodate. Laminate it if you wish to re-use it for multiple storms.

• 2

  Hurricane winds and rains often approach the shore in intermittent bands.

  Mark a point at the exact latitude and longitude of the storm at regular intervals. Document the time of your entry, strength category assigned to the hurricane and the name of the storm. Use waterproof marking pens to indicate hurricane movement if you have a paper map. Use grease pencils, also called china marking pencils, to mark on laminated surfaces.

• 3

  Draw a line between the entry points as you add new ones to show the path of the storm. Dedicate a separate color for each storm you are tracking--during the height of a busy hurricane season, there can be six or more to track at once.

• 4

  Identify your primary sources for hurricane tracking input. Compare the information between your top two or three sources. However, most will report only the official numbers released by the National Weather Service's Hurricane Tracking Center. Review other reports for additional information that can enhance your knowledge of the specifics or peculiarities of an identified storm. Maintain a separate page of notes related to each specific storm, such as wind velocity, rate of movement or projected landfall.

• 5

  Hurricanes can leave severe damage to coastal structures.

  Determine the best time interval for updating the map. Checking three to four times a day is good if you are not in the path of the storm. However, check every hour if you are in the area of projected landfall and may have to evacuate.

• 6

  Keep a "weather eye" out for other storms lined up behind the primary one you are tracking. They can increase in speed and intensity at an alarming rate and become a threat. Watch for strong pressure systems over major land masses that can direct the path of hurricanes. Be aware that a mild hurricane can become a major problem if a pressure system causes it to stall and dump excessive amounts of rain in a small area.