PC Weather Products - What's new with HURRTRAK EM/Pro & Global EM/Pro

What's new with HURRTRAK EM/Pro & HURRTRAK Global EM/Pro

Version 2008 changes

"True” Pan and Zoom interface – This new feature represents a significant enhancement to the user interface that allows the user to interactively pan and zoom any tracking map. All of the mapping elements previously chosen by the user are re-plotted at the new zoom level and/or map positions.

Native Google Earth Interface – this allows the user the ability to export lines, points and polygons to GE via it’s native KML language. In 2008 there are additional Google Earth export types including wind arrows, and summary report detail.

Enhanced Google Earth exports – In 2008 we are adding several more exports such as: the ability to add images to location impact reports; detailed hourly summary information; display of wind field arrows, and much more

Expanded Google Earth information – In addition to the LARGE amount of information that the user is able to export from the HURRTRAK system to Google Earth, you will now able to superimpose additional National Weather Service information on the same Google Earth “image”. Some of this data includes Animated radar and satellite, station observations, NWS storm reports and warnings, current and forecast river stages, observed rainfall, and more...

Expanded Historical databases – Thanks to the work at the Hurricane Research Division we have added storm databases for the years from 1851 to 2007. While the wind radii information from the 1850s through 1980 is less reliable, it allows the user to go back and examine the past season storms including some of the more notable ones (including the ability to create animations, impact reports, etc..)

More accurate and descriptive damage comments –The Saffir-Simpson scale is a good measure of storm strength, but it is not necessarily tailored for damage at individual locations. In 2008, we allow the user to use an alternative “modified Texas Tech damage scale”. This new scale is more useful when analyzing the impact for a location, because it provides a more detailed and accurate description of damage.

Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook - Support for this new product being issued by the TPC.

Desktop Satellite Animation

High Resolution Recon Reports – You can now display the high resolution reports coming in from the Hurricane Hunter aircraft.

Improved Summary Reports

Expanded Hurricane History Database.. now from 1851 to 2007.. this contains best track information

Updated Watch and Warning breakpoints

Updated Average Forecast Error data

Update Tide database

Enhanced system and user preferences (options)

Miscellaneous User Interface improvements

... and more in the works

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Version 2007 changes

Native Google Earth Interface – this allows the user the ability to export lines, points and polygons to GE via it’s native KML language. This is a major enhancement to the system and the result is an impressive array of visualization capabilities.

Animated Wind Pattern graphic - We have taken the animated wind pattern capability that was introduced last year and improved it by allowing the user to view an animated wind pattern.

NHC Wind Probabilities – This year we will support the “new” NHC wind probabilities. This support is evident in several areas of the system

Additional detailed SLOSH data – In addition to updating our SLOSH database with the latest changes from NOAA,

Desktop Satellite Enhancements – You can now specify up to 3 daytime and 3 nighttime satellite images.

Enhanced E-mail Alert – As mentioned earlier, we have added wind probabilities as e-mail alert criteria. For example you can specify that you want an alert email sent when forecast wind probabilities for a location will exceed specified values for 34, 50 and/or 64 knot winds.

Daylight Savings Time changes – We have changed the system to accommodate the new DST rules.

Point and click reports – While viewing a tracking chart, you can now simply right-click on a map position and generate an impact report location.

Improved Summary Reports - Now includes Wind Probability data.

Updated street database – We have updated the street level database to the most current available.

Expanded Hurricane History Database.. now from 1851 to 2006.. this contains best track information

Updated Watch and Warning breakpoints

Updated Average Forecast Error data

Update Tide database

Enhanced system and user preferences (options)

Miscellaneous User Interface improvements

Version 2006 changes

Google Earth Interface - this allows the user to display most of the HURRTRAK graphics "on top" of a Google Earth "earth" image. Google Earth is a free application available at http://earth.google.com/ .
New Wind Pattern Display - this graphic shows the wind field around a storm in a solid color coded fashion.
Multi-Colored Wind Vectors - Optional way to view the wind field around a storm either in static or animation mode
Enhanced forecast wind estimation/Eye Diameter control - Wind estimation has been improved by allowing for forecast period eye diameter considerations. Users can define a default eye size as well as a transition period for a current storm to change from a very small or large eye to a "normal" one.

Non Location based Summary reports - Users can now define automatic summary reports without defining a location. This expands the definition of summary reports to include both location-storm reports and simply storm based reports.

Customizable Summary Reports - In addition to the item above, automatic summary reports can now be customized to include or exclude different sections of the report.

Chart note display improvements - Chart notes can now be displayed manually by "grabbing" an observation point and using the mouse drag and drop feature. This has also been extended to the Main Informational database tab in order to allow the user to select observations for Post Storm Analysis.

Outlook Email Improvements - User has ability to save email in the Outlook drafts folder instead of an immediate send from the HURRTRAK system. This allows the user to open the email in Outlook, include additional attachments, etc. before sending.

Radar - National mosaic radar image can now be used as a background tracking map.

Hurricane History - Color coded tracks as well as a thin or thick line option.

QuickPlot enhancements

Enhanced Location Maintenance - Ability to add locations graphically.. via map point selection.

Quiet Updates - ability to have HURRTRAK ONLINE update the system databases without displaying status window.

Expanded Hurricane History Database.. now from 1851 to 2005.. this contains best track information

Updated Watch and Warning breakpoints and Tide databases

Enhanced system and user preferences (options)

Version 2005 changes

Microsoft EXCEL Interface – this function allows the user to export all HURRTRAK reports and data tables to Microsoft EXCEL ™. This allows for further detailed analysis.

Enhanced Wind Estimation methods – The wind impact analysis reports has been modified to analyze a storm's forecast or actual position every 30 minutes instead of the former method of every 60 minutes.. This makes a big difference in fast moving and/or small storms like Hurricane Charley in 2004. In addition we have implemented an enhanced wind gust estimation method.

Cross Wind Analysis – This new feature has been added for users who need to monitor runway cross winds. This is typically used to determine runway closures.

Location based forecast rainfall – Location based National Weather service forecast rainfall now appears in base impact, impact reports and summary reports.

Enhanced Animation – Animation frames now depict a storm's eye and eye wall.

Enhanced SLOSH reports – Have modified the SLOSH report allow a user to display a report for ANY location group. No longer do you need to create special location groups just to do SLOSH reporting..

Enhanced Email Alerts – Forecast rainfall is now an alert email criteria.

Enhanced eye wall depiction – A storm's eye wall can now be presented as a solid color or various stages of transparency. (both static plots and animation), thus allowing the user to see areas being affected by the eye wall.

New Spell Checking – No longer do you have to send out email from HURRTRAK with spelling errors. Includes both English and Spanish.

New Desktop Satellite feature – This new applet allows the user to display the latest satellite image right on your Windows desktop.

New Forecast Model Plot program – This new function shows all of the forecast model tracks even if no named storms exist.

Rainfall Alert – We have added forecast rainfall as an EMAIL alert criteria. This will allow users to automatically send alert emails when a certain level of rain is forecast.

Average Error Plot – You can optionally plot the forecast average error area without showing the exact forecast track.

Expanded Hurricane History Database.. now from 1851 to 2004.. this contains best track information

Updated Tide, County and Zip Code databases

Enhanced system and user preferences (options)

Version 2004 changes

Microsoft Outlook Email Interface – this function allows the user to utilize their MS Outlook address books and send capabilities from within Hurrtrak. This eliminates the need to maintain email list on both Outlook and Hurrtrak and also saves (optional) all emails sent from Hurrtrak.
Animated Gifs – this will allow the user to save and send any storm animation sequence
PDF Support allows the user to save and send all reports and graphics in PDF format. This addresses any formatting inconsistencies when sharing reports and also addresses security problems when sending HTML reports.

New LANDSAT based tracking maps. This allows the user to better visualize the characteristics of the land areas being impacted by a storm.

New Topographical tracking maps. Two new tracking maps allow the user to see the topography that may impact a storm’s strength.

New H*WIND Display program that displays detailed “estimated” storm winds provided by the NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Lab. . This data is provided by AOML on a “best can do basis”.

Enhanced Wind Band Analysis to show 10 levels of wind

Point and Click Impact Reports. This allows the user to graphically select the forecast wind impact location.

Color coded storm tracks

Enhanced system and user preferences (options) interface

Expanded Hurricane History Database. Now from 1851 to 2003

Updated Tide, County and Zip Code database

Version 2003 changes

Support of National Hurricane Center's new 96 and 120 hour forecast (integrated into all functions)

RadarPlot - Allows the user to plot the storm's eye and wind fields "on top" of selected NWS NEXRAD radar images. The images are accessed via the internet/Hurrtrak Online and include all coastal radar sites.

Enhanced wind field estimation to estimate the 34, 50 and 64 knot wind fields for the extended forecast hours (72-120 hours)

Added capability to display the NWS rainfall predictions even when there is no current storm (US only) *

Added estimated wind gusts to all location, county and zip code reports

Enhanced depiction of eye, eye wall and wind fields around the storm... this includes more accurately representing the presence of an eye and derivation of spot wind estimates.

Added larger, more detailed fixed tracking charts (1400x1048) (for those really large displays)

Extended climatic forecast to 120 hours

New 1991-1994 storm databases... we have included the FULL storm databases of 1991-1994 expanding the full storm database to 1991-2002. These databases include all observations, forecast, and all advisories as issued by the NHC.

Expanded Hurricane History Database. Now from 1851 to 2002

Updated Tide, County and Zip Code database

Updated Slosh database

Enhanced system and user preferences

Version 2002 changes

New QUICKPLOT feature... allows the user to quickly get a complete snapshot of the current tropical situation. From there, the user can opt to use the full capabilities of the entire system. Works best with HURRTRAK ONLINE.

Satellite Image Map Tracking… allows the user to access satellite images as the tracking map background. Via HURRTRAK ONLINE, PC Weather Products sends your system a list of valid satellite images available. Current satellite images include Visible, IR and WV images of the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

Sea Surface Temperature Image Map Tracking... similar to satellite image tracking, this allows the user to utilize a choice of SST images as the tracking map background. Useful in determining the storm’s current environment and it’s potential. HURRTRAK ONLINE, sends your system a list of available SST images. Current SST maps cover the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

SLOSH reporting. The user has the ability to run reports for groups of locations within a particular SLOSH basin. This report indicates the maximum flooding that can be expected by category of storm for each location.

Enhanced Internet Tab. Hurrtrak online users are provided a dynamic list of current available satellite images shown on the Internet Tab. This includes animated satellite image sequences

Enhanced Automated Summary Reports.. Users now have the ability to attach NHC advisories

Enhanced location/county/zip summary and detail impact reports... additional data fields added to reports

Added ability to send general email messages

Added support for Email servers that require send authentication

Enhanced database and storm navigation... easier to add/change storms and databases

Expanded Hurricane History Database. Now from 1851 to 2001

Expanded city location database… over 200 additional Mexican and Caribbean locations.

Enhanced user preferences (options) interface

Enhanced Geographical Email Alert Definition... now with graphical interface

HURRTRAK ONLINE now automatically downloads storm data from around the world (Global versions only)

Version 2001 changes (2001)

New tab based user interface that allows the user to easily select and view system tracking charts, graphics and reports
New risk alert feature that allows the user to quickly and easily determine a location's risk from the current storm
Enhanced Email Alerts... allows user to send a tracking chart as an attachment
Automatic plotting of tracking charts. When a storm is opened or updated, the storm’s actual and forecast track can be automatically plotted
Automatic creation of reports. When a storm is opened or updated, the "favorite" reports are automatically created.
Enhanced mapping capabilities, which allow both variable (pan and zoom based) tracking charts and “favorite” fixed style tracking charts
Integrated Web Browser. One of the “tabs” is an Internet Explorer window which can be used to show your favorite satellite image from within the HURRTRAK system
Simplified the definition of Alerts and Summary reports.
Updated Slosh database. Now includes Atlantic City and Ocean City basins.
Enhanced Alert Capabilities
Updated Tide, County and Zip Code database
Integrated HURRTRAK ONLINE. Now the retrieval of HURRTRAK ONLINE information is fully integrated with the HURRTRAK module
Enhanced Print Preview capabilities
Enhanced Toobars and popup menus
Updated Tide database

Version 2000 changes (2000)

New Pan and Zoom mapping capabilities which allows the user to select any size and scale map... right down to street level.
Automatic tracking chart updating. When new data arrives any open tracking charts will automatically update themselves with the latest storm position and forecast track.
Added new hurricane reconnaissance display module that allows the user to display the latest hurricane hunter reports over any map area (Atlantic only) *
Added capability to display selected hurricane forecast model tracks
Added capability to display the NWS rainfall predictions (US only) *
Added county thematic display capabilities which allows the user to display maximum forecast winds and rainfall forecast by county
Added astronomical TIDE information for over 20000 US locations. This allows the system to show current tide trends & include the info on the detail impact location report.
Enhanced email addressing by allowing the selection of which users are on the TO, CC and BC list
Enhanced email attachment capability by allowing all output to be HTML formatted.. (removes the requirement to look at attached report in a fixed font)
Enhanced the summary report by associating reports to location groups instead of "home locations".
Included ability to export all reports as HTML files
Added ability to display and label all decision arcs
Automated time zone selection
Updated County and zip code database
Expanded watch and warning areas for non USA areas
Added more toolbars and popup menus

Version 4.0 changes (1999)

New 32 bit version specifically designed for WIN 95/98, WIN NT

Redesigned user interface using tool and status bars

Added larger, more detailed tracking charts (1024x768)

Added 46 detailed tracking/SLOSH-Inundation charts

Enhanced the integration of HURRTRAK and HURRTRAK ONLINE allowing for automatic, no hands, updating of storm data (with HURRTRAK ONLINE)

Added SLOSH MOM Inundation Analysis which graphically indicates potential storm surge flood levels (above ground level)

Added status bar to SLOSH MOM and Inundation chart display indicating cursor positional data such as latitude, longitude, slosh value, land elevation and inundation level.

Added ability to define a "Base" location and automatically display and update its summary and detailed forecast impact information on main screen

Added status bars on main screen indicating database, storm name, latest storm information and "base" location impact details

Added status bar to tracking chart display indicating cursor position data such as Latitude, Longitude, Distance to Center, Wind Speed and Wind Direction

Added Email capabilities which includes:

Ability to send an image, text and advisory attachments

Ability to send reports such as the summary and detailed impact reports

Ability to automatically send email notices when certain "base location" conditions are met. These conditions can be varied by email recipient.

Ability to setup the system to automatically send graphic and text information when new data arrives

Added the ability to export report data to HTML

Added the ability to export report data to a delimited file for easy import into spreadsheets and databases (i.e. EXCEL, MS ACCESS)

Added "Advisory ticker" which scrolls the latest public advisory across the bottom on the screen

Added ability to display strike probability values at select locations on the storm graphic

Enhanced Animation capabilities

Enhanced Font control for all text including the ability to turn off text plotting altogether

Expanded User Options for even more control

Added ability to activate and de-activate specific tracking charts

Added ability to mix graphics and text via expanded annotation features.

In case you missed Version 3.0 (1998)

Added the ability to customize tracking chart color scheme

Added automation capabilities

Added summary reporting

Added the Slosh model (MOM) storm surge data

Added a forecast Coastal Flood index capability

Added a forecast location coastal flooding analysis

Added onshore wind component added to detail location report

Added graphical based custom map creation

Added Latitude / Longitude grid

Included the ability to save a fax image

Now Year 2000 compliant

Added a User Diary

Included Font control for all text

Added Wind band and flood index legends

Added ability to copy storm to current database

Added "Quick TAU" function

In case you missed Version 2.0 (1997)

Increased number of custom tracking charts to FIVE
Ability to show latest and forecast positions with shaded 34, 50 & 64 knot wind areas instead of wind "circles"
Added BMP, TIF, JPG and PCX support for saving of images
Added capability to copy a storm from one database to another
Added a backup capability
Added an UNDO feature
Added CPA (closest point of approach) to the summary impact report
Added location distance to 34 , 50 and 64 knot winds to detailed location report
Added duration of 34, 50 and 64 knot winds to the location summary report
Added arrival hours to 34, 50 and 64 knot winds to the location summary report
Added a Copy (to clipboard) capability for ALL reports and storm data
Added the ability to navigate to system setup, database maintenance, custom map maker and HURRTRAK Online from the main HURTRAK Program Added the ability to label the storm tracks in the historical analysis program
Enhanced the Printing Capabilities to include print preview on text reports
Added the Direct to point or worse case scenario capability. This is the ability to reset the forecast track to move towards any location desired.
Added the ability to create an Actual or forecast impact analysis report
Added the ability to define action or decision points and their associated lead times. Action point triggers are either the 34, 50 or 64 knot wind arrival and lead times can vary by storm category.
Include the depiction of action points on the detailed location report indicating the time that the action point occurs.
Added the ability to depict a "decision arc" for an action point on any tracking charts and during an animation sequence
Added print capabilities during animation
Added the ability to show average NHC forecast error along with the official NHC forecast
Expanded the county impact analysis to include non USA locations
Added calculated landfall recognition and associated forecast intensity modification
Added automatic estimation of NHC 48 and 72 hour 34 knot and 64 knot wind fields and associated forecast wind field modification
Added a Daytime/Nighttime indicator on detailed location analysis report

Version 1 (additional capabilities from Professional version 7.0)

Added the ability to define and display the areas of "official" hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings
Strike Probabilities now calculated internally… and for any location
Added Animation capabilities whereby you can animate the storm’s past and forecasted motion, optionally including the storm’s wind field, wind arrow and velocities
Added the ability to display the storm’s past and forecast wind band analysis. Wind contour values and display colors are user defined
Added the ability to conduct a "batch" location analysis which allows the user to quickly analyze a large number of locations
Added an impact county impact analysis report which analyzes by county, the number of people and households that are expected to be affected by user defined levels of wind. Three additional data fields can also be defined
Added the ability to display a list of locations that are forecasted to experience a user defined level of wind along with their hourly wind profile
Added the ability to conduct post storm analyses allowing the user to recreate and view past hurricane track and wind field information
Added a storm 3D surface wind graph for any past or forecast storm position
Added Decision Support Capabilities

	New 32 bit version specifically designed for WIN 95/98, WIN NT
	Redesigned user interface using tool and status bars
	Added larger, more detailed tracking charts (1024x768)
	Added 46 detailed tracking/SLOSH-Inundation charts
	Enhanced the integration of HURRTRAK and HURRTRAK ONLINE allowing for automatic, no hands, updating of storm data (with HURRTRAK ONLINE)
	Added SLOSH MOM Inundation Analysis which graphically indicates potential storm surge flood levels (above ground level)
	Added status bar to SLOSH MOM and Inundation chart display indicating cursor positional data such as latitude, longitude, slosh value, land elevation and inundation level.
	Added ability to define a "Base" location and automatically display and update its summary and detailed forecast impact information on main screen
	Added status bars on main screen indicating database, storm name, latest storm information and "base" location impact details
	Added status bar to tracking chart display indicating cursor position data such as Latitude, Longitude, Distance to Center, Wind Speed and Wind Direction
	Added Email capabilities which includes: Ability to send an image, text and advisory attachments Ability to send reports such as the summary and detailed impact reports Ability to automatically send email notices when certain "base location" conditions are met. These conditions can be varied by email recipient. Ability to setup the system to automatically send graphic and text information when new data arrives
	Added the ability to export report data to HTML
	Added the ability to export report data to a delimited file for easy import into spreadsheets and databases (i.e. EXCEL, MS ACCESS)
	Added "Advisory ticker" which scrolls the latest public advisory across the bottom on the screen
	Added ability to display strike probability values at select locations on the storm graphic
	Enhanced Animation capabilities
	Enhanced Font control for all text including the ability to turn off text plotting altogether
	Expanded User Options for even more control
	Added ability to activate and de-activate specific tracking charts
	Added ability to mix graphics and text via expanded annotation features.

	Added the ability to customize tracking chart color scheme
	Added automation capabilities
	Added summary reporting
	Added the Slosh model (MOM) storm surge data
	Added a forecast Coastal Flood index capability
	Added a forecast location coastal flooding analysis
	Added onshore wind component added to detail location report
	Added graphical based custom map creation
	Added Latitude / Longitude grid
	Included the ability to save a fax image
	Now Year 2000 compliant
	Added a User Diary
	Included Font control for all text
	Added Wind band and flood index legends
	Added ability to copy storm to current database
	Added "Quick TAU" function