Hurricane Reconnaissance Display

This option allows the user to select to view either flight level or surface winds only.

This option allows the user to add annotations in a predefined text box (lower left).

This option closes the current window.

This displays the latitude and longitude of the cursor position.

These isolated reports represent non-vortex type recon reports. The wind speed and direction of the report is indicated and the remaining items are decoded on the right information panel.

The circle represents the storm's vortex center (eye in well defined storms). By passing the mouse over this area, the report is decoded on the right information panel. The supplemental vortex data is displayed and removed by left clicking on this point. Note: The supplemental reports typically "come in" about 30 minutes after the vortex report.

The red X identifies the location of the maximum surface wind encountered on the inbound and outbound portions of the vortex pass. The time, speed and wind direction at these points are displayed on the right information panel when the user points the cursor at a supplemental report.

These observations indicate the wind speed and direction of the supplement vortex pass observations. By passing the mouse over these observations the information for the entire pass is shown on the right information panel.

This option allows the user to identify what types of recon reports to show. If Vortex is selected, both the vortex and the vortex supplemental reports are shown.. If RECCO is selected then the non-vortex recon reports are shown. Both can be selected. Note: The supplemental reports are displayed and removed by left clicking on the vortex report.

This option instructs the system to display only the recon reports received in the last x hours... where x is selected by the user.

The user can also select "older" recon reports by selecting a from and to date range. All reports that fall inside this range will be displayed.

Point and click on portions of the image shown above for a description of what they represent and control.

In 2007, NHC started to supply high definition pass data instead of the vortex supplemental data. As the name suggest it is a observations taken from the RECON aircraft every 30 seconds as they make a pass into the center of the storm. This can be viewed by selecting the HDOB checkbox. You may have to zoom in very close to see the observation detail.

The reconnaissance data is downloaded via the HURRTRAK ONLINE service. In addition to manually requesting the recon data, by setting the Hurrtrak Online Automation options, you can force the system to check for new data on a regular basis.

Finally if you want more information on hurricane reconnaissance, check www.hurricanehunters.com

While viewing the graphics, there are several menu options available. They include: