Central Pacific Hurricane Center
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| Central Pacific Hurricane Center | |
|---|---|
| Name | Central Pacific Hurricane Center |
| Abbreviation | CPHC |
| Formed | 1970 |
| Jurisdiction | Hawaiian Islands |
| Headquarters | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Parent agency | National Weather Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
| Website | official site |
Central Pacific Hurricane Center The Central Pacific Hurricane Center is the official tropical cyclone warning center for the central Pacific basin, responsible for forecasting, advisories, and public safety coordination affecting the Hawaiian Islands and surrounding waters. It issues warnings and guidance that are used by United States Department of Commerce, Federal Emergency Management Agency, United States Air Force, United States Coast Guard, and United States Navy assets operating in the region. The center works closely with scientific institutions such as University of Hawaii at Manoa, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, and international agencies like the Japan Meteorological Agency and Meteorological Service of New Zealand.
Overview
The center monitors tropical cyclone development across the central Pacific, a region defined from 140°W to the International Date Line, coordinating with the National Hurricane Center for disturbances traversing 140°W and liaising with the Joint Typhoon Warning Center for systems crossing the International Date Line. Its responsibilities include issuing watches, warnings, tropical cyclone public advisories, and tropical cyclone position and movement forecasts used by Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Honolulu Emergency Management Agency, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, United States Geological Survey partners for integrated hazard response. Tools employed include satellite platforms like GOES-West, Himawari 8, and NOAA-20, and observational networks such as Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler, Argos (satellite system), and the Aircraft Reconnaissance community when available.
History
The center traces its roots to earlier regional forecasting responsibilities held by the United States Weather Bureau and later by the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center predecessor organizations before formal establishment in 1970. Historical milestones include coordination during Hurricane Iwa (1982), Hurricane Iniki (1992), and reorganization following Hurricane Dot (1959) lessons learned with contributions from researchers at University of Hawaii, Colorado State University, and National Center for Atmospheric Research. Operational changes have paralleled advances in numerical modeling from groups such as Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, and assimilation systems influenced by Global Telecommunications System developments.
Organization and Operations
Administratively housed within National Weather Service regional offices in Honolulu, the center employs meteorologists, hurricane specialists, and staff who coordinate emergency communications with agencies including Hawaii Department of Transportation, Hawaii Department of Health, American Red Cross, and local county civil defense offices like Maui County Emergency Management Agency and Kauai County Civil Defense Agency. Operational shifts reflect partnerships with research centers such as NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory, and educational affiliates including Leeward Community College and Windward Community College through internship programs. The center issues routine tropical weather discussions, advisories, and graphic products used by media outlets including KHON-TV, KITV, and national broadcasters like The Weather Channel.
Forecasting and Products
Forecast products comprise tropical cyclone public advisories, tropical cyclone statements, tropical cyclone wind speed probability products, and forecast cones informed by consensus models like GFS, ECMWF, HWRF, and UKMET. The forecast process integrates satellite-derived intensity estimates using techniques developed by NOAA Hurricane Research Division and analysts influenced by DOI/USGS coastal impact studies. Hydrometeorological products support agencies such as National Park Service units in Hawaii, coastal managers at Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and maritime customers including Matson, Inc. and Horizon Lines. The center also provides seasonal outlooks leveraging climate signals from El Niño–Southern Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and research from International Research Institute for Climate and Society.
Research and Collaboration
The center collaborates on research with institutions like Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, and military research units such as Naval Research Laboratory and Air Force Weather Agency. Joint projects examine rapid intensification, storm surge, and eyewall replacement cycles, drawing on numerical modeling developments from Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, NOAA Global Systems Laboratory, and global assimilation advances from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. International cooperation includes data exchange with Japan Meteorological Agency, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and Pacific island agencies like Fiji Meteorological Service and Samoa Meteorology Division.
Notable Events and Impact
Notable events include operational responses to Hurricane Iniki (1992), which prompted improvements in building codes and emergency planning across Kauai, coordination during Hurricane Iwa (1982) and Tropical Storm Lane (2018), and contributions to recovery after Typhoon Maysak (2015) effects on Pacific communities. The center's advisories have supported maritime rescues by the United States Coast Guard and disaster response by Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross, and Hawaii National Guard. Its research partnerships have informed policy at Hawaii State Legislature and planning by County of Honolulu agencies to enhance resilience against tropical cyclone hazards.