Predicting the Mighty Ocean

by

Patrick Chan

The ocean has played a crucial role in human civilizations since ancient times. It allowed our ancestors to migrate to less hostile environment and provided abundant marine life as a major food source. In modern times, it provides an important means of transportation which makes international trade possible. Its natural resources support our fishing and energy industries.

The Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch (TAFB) is the largest part of the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami. TAFB forecasters predict winds and waves, and issue marine warnings year-round for 10,000,000 square nautical miles over the tropical North Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and tropical Northeast Pacific Ocean. To learn more about the history of the TAFB and its current role in marine forecasting and warning, check out this story map titled Predicting the Mighty Ocean created by Patrick Chan of the TAFB.