AUGUSTA, Ga. - The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is making some fairly significant changes for the 2009 season. Some of the more important changes include:

1. The Saffir-Simpson scale will be based solely on the estimated wind speed of the hurricane. In the past, hurricane forecasters gave some consideration to the central pressure of the storm and the estimated storm surge. Over the past few years, we have started to emphasize just the intensity of the storm based on wind speed. The NHC makes this official for 2009. When we talk about Saffir-Simpson Categories, we refer solely to the winds associated with the storm. For more information about the Saffir-Simpson wind scale, click here.

2. Storm surge forecasts will now provide information about expected surge above the ground level. In the past, surge was described in terms above sea-level. Since most structures are built at some elevation above sea-level, hurricane experts have decided storm surge about ground level is more appropriate. As an example, a house built at an elevation 4 feet above sea-level will suffer much more damage for a surge forecast of 4 feet above ground level than for a surge forecast of 4 feet above sea-level. The NHC surge forecasts will clearly describe the surge in terms above ground level. For more information about storm surge, click here.

3. Thanks to track forecast improvements over the past several years, the cone of uncertainty is smaller this year. For more information about the "cone of uncertainty," click here. 

For a full list and description of National Hurricane Center changes for 2009, click here.