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Tropical cyclones are amongst the most powerful and
destructive meteorological systems on earth. Globally,
80 to 100 develop over tropical oceans each year. Many
of these make landfall and can cause considerable
damage to property and loss of life as a result of high
winds and heavy rain. In recent years, the Met Office
has taken an active rôle in improving the forecasts
of these weather systems.
The Met Office produces forecasts for every tropical cyclone which develops
and also verifies the quality of these forecasts. Charts and statistics assessing
the forecast performance are produced for each tropical cyclone and a publication
entitled "Monthly Summary of Tropical Cyclone Activity and Forecasts" is issued.
Forecast verification including monthly
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Observed tracks
How many tropical cyclones have there been in recent
years and which places have been hit by them?
Information is provided here on the frequency and
tracks of recent tropical cyclones.
Observed tracks
Tropical cyclone
names
Why are tropical cyclones named and who decides what the next
name is going to be? Look here to find out more.
Tropical cyclone
names
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Current warnings and guidance
Tropical cyclone forecast guidance is produced by the
Met Office twice per day and is based on the forecasts from its
global numerical weather prediction model. This guidance is
used by various other meteorological centres in the
production of their tropical cyclone warnings. It is the
responsibility of the Regional Specialised Meteorological
Centres (RSMCs) of the World Meteorological Organization to
issue forecasts to national meteorological services who then
issue public warnings.
Links to
RSMCs and other tropical cyclone warning centres
Met
Office forecast guidance for current tropical cyclones
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Forecasting development at the Met Office
Over the last 10 to 15 years numerical weather prediction models
have become sufficiently sophisticated to forecast the movement
of tropical cyclones with a reasonable degree of accuracy. In recent
years, the Met Office has increased its effort in the areas of tropical
cyclone forecast improvement and verification, dissemination and
international profile of products.
More about forecasting development
at the Met Office
Images and movies
Images and movies of tropical cyclones compiled from various sources.
Images and movies of past
tropical cyclones
Further information
What is the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon? What is
the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded? For the answers
to these questions and many more see the
tropical cyclones frequently asked (FAQ) web site.
For queries on the Met Office involvement in tropical cyclone forecasting,
email
tropical_cyclones@metoffice.com
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