What's new with HURRTRAK RM/Pro & HURRTRAK Global RM/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. 

  • Executive Summary Report Enhancements - Users can now embed a tracking chart image into this report.  In addition, this report, similar to email alerts and the "legacy" summary report, can now be "sent" automatically when new data arrives.  Finally, forecast rainfall data has been added to the report detail.

  • Estimation of 25 knot wind radii – This enhancement allows the system to estimate wind speeds below 34 knots (from 25 knots - 34 knots).  This is reflected on the system graphics and reports.

  • 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.. with or without Advanced Wind Estimation.

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

  • Enhanced SLOSH Inundation Analysis – We have increased the resolution of our elevation database, used for inundation analysis, from 90 meters to 30 meters… a 9X increase in detail.  The result is a much more detailed and accurate SLOSH inundation analysis.

  • 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 manner.
  • Multi-Colored Wind Vectors - Optional method of viewing 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.
  • Wind band export enhancements - data smoothing has been introduced to produce a more realistic wind band pattern.
  • 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
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  • 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.
  • Enhanced Impact reports –  We have modified the wind impact report to show comparative importation between the standard and advanced (AWE) wind 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.
  • Enhanced Advanced Location wind estimation – this function introduces in 2003 is being greatly enhanced by the introduction of the NLCS (land usage) database.  This allows the system to automatically determine the surface roughness (friction) of the location being analyzed without the user having to define any of these parameters
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  • New Zip Code Wind Thematic Chart.  Similar to the County based wind thematic except at a much more detailed level of zip code.
  • 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”.
  • Point and Click Impact Reports.  This allows the user to graphically select the forecast wind impact location.
  • Enhanced Wind Band Analysis to show 10 levels of wind
  • 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)
  • Advanced Location Wind Estimation - This function takes into consideration local "site" factors such as local exposures, varying vegetation types as well as the density of man made structures to compute a more accurate wind speed estimate (patent pending).
  • 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.
  • Added capability to display the NWS rainfall predictions even when there is no current storm (US only) *
  • Enhanced wind field estimation to estimate the 34, 50 and 64 knot wind fields for the extended forecast hours (72-120 hours)
  • 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
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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.
  • Updated Tide database
  • 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)
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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)

Version 3.0 changes (1999)

In case you missed Version 2.0 (1998)

  • Added very detailed tracking/SLOSH charts
  • 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 and actual Coastal Flood index capability
  • Added a forecast and actual location coastal flooding analysis feature
  • Added forecast and actual zip code coastal flooding analysis feature
  • 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

Version 1.0 of the HURRTRAK RM/Pro (1997) had all of the capabilities of HURRTRAK EM/PRO V2.0 plus the additional capabilities of

  • Ability to create a forecast impact analysis by zip code
  • Ability to create an actual impact report for location, zip code or county
  • Ability to create a detailed zip code analysis report
  • Ability to add up to 10 custom zip code or county data fields for reporting summaries
  • Ability to overlay past storm tracks on the same chart as a current storm
  • Ability to do extensive historical analysis

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