How to Track a Hurricane Online

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By CM Herold
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Hurricanes are fascinating forces of nature that intrigue many people. Hurricanes begin when low pressure areas form over warm ocean water. These pressure areas usually happen during hurricane season, which is summer and early fall. Water vapor evaporates from the surface of the water. When this vapor condenses to form clouds and rain, it warms the surrounding air. When there is little wind, heat builds up creating low pressure. This low pressure creates spiraling inward wind, which helps evaporate more water vapor from the ocean. Showers and thunderstorms begin and air starts to get warmer. The showers and thunderstorms usually turn into bands or rainbands encircling the center creating an eyewall where the strongest winds occur. The continuous heat exchange causes wind to spiral around a relatively calm center creating a hurricane.

To track a hurricane online, follow the steps below.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

To track a hurricane online, click the link below in the resource section for NOAA's link to hurricane sectors. NOAA has current satellite pictures of tropical hurricane sectors. Look for spiraling cloud formations, and click on the picture to enlarge.
Step 2

Track a hurricane online through the Weather Channel's hurricane central website. The link is located below in the resource section. Find the latest hurricane news and links for the projected path, storm track, advisories and satellite imagery.
Step 3

Track a hurricane on the NOAA hurricane tracking chart by clicking the link below in the resource section. Familiarize yourself with longitude and latitude positions. Hurricanes are tracked by longitude and latitude. The coordinates of hurricanes are noted on the center or eye of the hurricane.