Proposed Atlantic and East Pacific Tropical Weather Discussion Layout Format Changes

The Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch (TAFB) of the National Hurricane Center / Tropical Prediction Center is currently considering changing the layout format of the Atlantic Tropical Weather Discussion (WMO header AXNT20 KNHC) and the East Pacific Tropical Weather Discussion (WMO header AXPZ20 KNHC). The evaluation period will end April 30, 2004. During this period we encourage your comments or suggestions for improvements. Your feedback will help us to determine product quality, if modifications are needed, and whether the proposed changes will be adopted.

Summary of Proposed Changes

Current Layout Format (all seasons)

Atlantic
- SPECIAL FEATURES
- TROPICAL WAVES/ITCZ
- MIDDLE/UPPER LEVEL SYNOPTIC FEATURES
- SURFACE SYNOPTIC FEATURES
- SIGNIFICANT CLOUDS/CONVECTION
  - GULF OF MEXICO
  - CARIBBEAN SEA
  - TROPICAL ATLANTIC
  - SUBTROPICAL ATLANTIC
An example of the current Atlantic layout format.
East Pacific
- SPECIAL FEATURES
- SURFACE SYNOPTIC ANALYSIS
- INTERPRETATION OF SATELLITE IMAGERY
An example of the current East Pacific layout format.

New Layout Format for both the Atlantic and the East Pacific

SPECIAL FEATURES (only available during hurricane season)
TROPICAL WAVES (only available during hurricane season)
ITCZ (all-season)
DISCUSSION (all-season, merges remaining sections mentioned above into different geographical areas based on the weather pattern)

Examples of the new layout format for both the Atlantic and East Pacific during the hurricane season are available here: