Storm wallet

A storm wallet is an archive of data about a tropical cyclone that is created once the cyclone has dissipated. This data is usually collected in binders as a series of papers, creating a type of data "wallet" or collection that can later be analyzed. The storm wallet can be expanded if necessary and is useful for future analysis of trends or patterns. This method of data collection pre-dates the presence of computers but is still used in the modern study of weather. The National Weather Service in the United States often finds storm wallets to be of great advantage, and they are used on both coasts. The history summarization from the related website states that [NOAA, 2008.] :

In the Atlantic, the wallet series begins in 1958 and proceeds continuously through the present. In the eastern north Pacific, wallets begin in 1988, the year in which operational responsibility for that basin was assumed by NHC.

There are plans underway to place the entire archives on the Internet so that anyone can access the records. These records will become available as they are scanned and will be viewable in both the JPG and PDF formats. Starting from the years quoted above, details about every tropical storm or hurricane will eventually be accessible. These archives include radar information, maps, and other numerical characteristics of the storms. This is very useful for post-storm studies to enhance forecasting and expand meteorological knowledge. New storms are consistently added, and new techniques might shed new light on old data as they are refined.

Notes

See also

* Atlantic hurricane reanalysis

References

* NOAA. April 23, 2008. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.shtml "NHC Archive of Hurricane Seasons"] . Retrieved April 25, 2008.