When a hurricane forms, your local news media will provide its eye position by latitude and longitude. ( For example, latitude 26.7 degrees north and longitude 95.2 degrees west.)
When the news media broadcasts a hurricane advisory, use chart below to note the pertinent information. Then, mark the location of the hurricane on the tracking chart. Because hurricanes often change direction very quickly, the news media has an update every hour — even more frequently when severe weather threatens!
A Hurricane Watch is posted for the Gulf Coast when a hurricane or an incipient hurricane condition poses a possible threat to the Gulf Coast. A Hurricane Watch does not indicate immediate danger; however, safety precautions requiring more than 18 hours to complete should be started immediately.
A Hurricane Warning is issued when forecasters believe the Gulf Coast will suffer hurricane damage. A Hurricane Warning is issued when winds are expected to sustain 74 mph or higher in the Gulf Coast area within 24 hours or less. When a Hurricane Warning is issued, listen to the news media continuously and take all safety precautions.
A Tropical Storm Warning is issued for areas not directly affected by the hurricane. A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when possible sustained winds within the range of 39 to 73 mph are expected within 24 hours or less.
