National Hurricane Center: No Warnings Issued for Sandy

By Meghan Evans, Meteorologist

October 29,2012; 2:49PM,EDT

AccuWeather CEO Barry Myers urged the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to reverse its decision not to issue hurricane or tropical storm warnings for Sandy north of North Carolina.
"To indicate that there is a landfalling hurricane and to issue warnings about it is the most effective thing that can be done to warn the public," Myers said.

There has not been one hurricane watch or warning issued by the National Hurricane Center for New Jersey despite the anticipated landfall of Hurricane Sandy near Atlantic City this evening. The NHC released a statement on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, that there will be no advisories issued for Sandy north of North Carolina.

Typically, hurricane watches are announced 48 hours in advance of the expected onset of tropical storm-force winds. Hurricane warnings are usually issued 36 hours in advance of the expected onset of tropical storm-force winds.

Satellite loop of Hurricane Sandy from NOAA.

The following is an excerpt from the NHC statement:
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issues advisories, forecasts, and warnings on tropical cyclones - the generic term for hurricanes, tropical storms, and tropical depressions. Sometime prior to making landfall, Hurricane Sandy is expected to lose its characteristics as a tropical cyclone and take on the structure of a wintertime low-pressure area. Because the National Hurricane Center only issues advisories on tropical cyclones, there will be changes in the flow of information coming out of the NWS when this transition occurs.
"What we have is a hurricane becoming embedded in a winter storm. It's clearly unprecedented," Myers said. "But to refuse to issue hurricane warnings clearly can cause confusion."
Not issuing such warnings has already led to mixed signals for both public safety officials and the public.
"Mayor Bloomberg was confused at one point over the weekend whether Sandy was a hurricane. If the mayor of the biggest city in the United States was confused, emergency management and others certainly can be confused," Myers added.

For the latest forecast on Hurricane Sandy, click here.