Join NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Hurricane Center at the Challenger Learning Center to help monitor weather conditions during a potentially severe hurricane season. Your expert monitoring of possible hurricane formations can help protect lives and property throughout the Atlantic Basin, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean islands.

For this mission you become one of the experts in the Storm Prediction Center, using your science knowledge of hurricanes and weather systems. You will track tropical storms and hurricanes, predict locations of greatest danger, calculate estimated arrival times, and issue weather advisories throughout your mission.

Team Positions

Lead Meteorologist

• Update and maintain the data worksheet for each storm
• Prepare a NOAA Weather Report Form for each advisory
• Relay information from your team to the Mission Commander at the National Hurricane Center at the Challenger Learning Center
• Update the "status" board or graphic organizer at the front of the classroom
• Communicate with other Lead Meteorologist in the Storm Prediction Center
• Analyze and report possible severe weather effects to National Hurricane Center at the Challenger Learning Center

Forecast Specialist

• Convert wind speeds (unit conversions)
• Categorize storms according to the Saffir- Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
• If the storm develops from the tropical depression into a tropical storm, assign the appropriate name from the Atlantic Name Table
• Graphically analyze air pressure and wind speed data

Zone Predictors

• Plot tropical storms on tracking maps
• Calculate the directional speed of the storm
• Use the Cone of Uncertainty tool to determine probable areas of tropical storm landfall
• Identify three breakpoint areas
• Inform ETA advisors which breakpoint areas have been selected

ETA Advisors

• Plot tropical storms on tracking maps
• Measure the distance to breakpoint areas
• Calculate the estimated time of arrival to each breakpoint area
• Issue weather watches, warnings, and advisories to the Lead Meteorologist on your team
• Analyze possible storm surge strength and consequences