StormTrakker
Hurricane/Typhoon Tracking Software
Latest available version: 2005
System requirements:
Windows NT, 2000. It will work on 98 and ME but there will be some mapping limitations. A minimum display setting of at least 800x600 @ 16M colors (High Color) recommended. Hard drive space requirements depend on how much and what level of optional data you wish to install
StormTrakker is designed for tracking tropical cyclones on a global scale. Track and model data is automatically ingested from bulletins, advisories, text-based model output and ATCF output from various sources including NHC, JTWC, NRL, FSU, OSU and more. Of course, manual data input is also supported. StormTrakker is an ever-going project. For one thing, the various internet resources offering this data is constantly changing. This requires periodic adjustments in the ingest routines contained within StormTrakker. Also, I occasionally add new features. The purchased version guarantees you these updates for that "version year". The new "version year" always starts with the Atlantic tropical season. Therefore, version 2006 will be released on or about June 1, 2006. This doesn't mean that if you purchase v.2005 that it will quit on June 1, 2006. Don't worry, it will continue to run. After the year is up I simply don't update v.2005 anymore. I move on to v.2006.
StormTrakker's many features include:
- Watches/Warnings are now ingested and displayed using the NHC's new "TCVAT" output
- Historical Track View Window which allows you to search, filter and display (need to download the free optional historical data files)
- Dynamic mapping using shapefiles allows you to control how your maps appear. Users can control color, font, ect. Full purchase version includes US states and counties shapefiles
- Offshore data (ship and buoy reports) can be displayed on the storm maps or in the DataViewer window
- ModelTrack feature allows you to download and display model images from various sources like PSU, NOMAD, FNMOC and NCEP. Once displayed, you can point-click on the image to approximate the storm forecast position for that model run and forecast hour
- Click on any point on the storm's map to get distance and ETA from storm's current position to the point clicked (calculated using current speed reported for storm, if any). Can also do historical Hit Report analysis for the point clicked
- Global overview map
- Recon vortex messages and RECCO observations ingested and displayed
- Forecast/Model error reports on each storm
- Experiment by creating your own consensus model
- Export storm data files in StormTrakker or ATCF file formats
- Forecast/Model Analysis window allows you to overlay many runs of a particular model onto the storm track-to-date giving you a visual perspective on model's performance
- Step-thru buttons allow you to step-thru each position of a track, both track and model data, showing how the track and forecasts evolved over time
- Quick shortcuts to various internet-based satellite views depending on the storm's position
StormTrakker can be purchased online from Hurricane Alley, or you can send a check or money order for $40 to me at:
Michael Bryson
309 Wilma Circle
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
(be sure to include your return email address or mail address so I can send it to you)
The demo includes 2006 storm data thru 6/7 for all basins. Registered users have access to historical storm data going as far back as 1851.
Download the demo package
(4MB) Once downloaded, run the SETUP.EXE file contained within.