Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →A hurricane forecast cone shows uncertainty in the storm’s forecast center track. It does not show the storm’s full size, all areas at risk, or a boundary beyond which it is safe. In the 2026 season, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is publishing an experimental ellipse-based cone alongside its standard circle-based cone, so check which graphic you are viewing before interpreting it.
What does the hurricane cone mean?
The cone marks an area of uncertainty around the forecast path of a tropical cyclone’s center. In the standard NHC graphic, circles are placed at forecast positions from 12 through 120 hours; connecting the circles’ outer edges creates the familiar widening cone. The NHC defines it as the area swept out by those circles along the forecast track.
For the 2026 operational cone, each circle’s radius is based on the 67th percentile of official center-track forecast errors in a rolling five-year sample. In practical terms, two-thirds of the historical errors for the relevant forecast lead and basin fell within that radius. The radii used in 2026 reflect errors from 2021–2025, and differ between the Atlantic and Eastern/Central Pacific.
| Forecast lead | Atlantic radius | Eastern/Central Pacific radius |
|---|---|---|
| 12 hours | 25 nautical miles | 25 nautical miles |
| 24 hours | 39 nautical miles | 37 nautical miles |
| 36 hours | 49 nautical miles | 48 nautical miles |
| 48 hours | 62 nautical miles | 56 nautical miles |
| 60 hours | 77 nautical miles | 66 nautical miles |
| 72 hours | 95 nautical miles | 78 nautical miles |
| 96 hours | 134 nautical miles | 106 nautical miles |
| 120 hours | 200 nautical miles | 138 nautical miles |
These are statistical track-error radii, not measurements of a particular storm. The cone widens because historical center-track errors tend to be larger at longer forecast leads. Annual errors vary with the season’s track characteristics, so its width is not a fixed physical property of a storm. See the NHC definition of the track forecast cone and its forecast verification information.
#1 Best Overall
- Comprehensive Hurricane Kit: This pre-packed hurricane kit includes all the essential hurricane preparedness items for home safety, such as a hurricane lantern, hurricane food, and a hurricane radio weather radio, ensuring you are fully prepared for any emergency.
- Waterproof and Durable Bag: Conveniently packed in a waterproof bag, this hurricane emergency kit is designed to protect your hurricane supplies for home from water damage, ensuring that all your essential hurricane preparedness items remain dry and functional.
- Designed for Two People: Our hurricane kit emergency for home is thoughtfully designed to cater to the needs of two people, including enough hurricane preparedness items food, water and hurricane lights for indoor use, providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
- Essential Hurricane Gear: This kit includes a variety of essential hurricane items such as a led hurricane camping lantern, hurricane phone charger, and emergency hurricane supplies to ensure that you have all the necessary tools for effective hurricane preparedness.
- Emergency Communication Tools: Stay informed with the included hurricane radio weather radio, an indispensable part of your hurricane supplies. This radio ensures that you receive critical updates and alerts, making it a vital component of your hurricane emergency kit.
Does the cone show where the hurricane will hit?
No. It shows uncertainty in the center’s forecast track, not a guaranteed landfall area. A center may pass through a part of the cone, but the cone does not say that every place inside it will experience hurricane conditions—or that locations outside it will avoid impacts.
The 67% figure applies to the historical error calibration of individual circles in the operational cone. Separately, the NHC says the entire five-day center path has historically remained within the conventional cone about 60–70% of the time. That whole-path statistic is not a promise about an individual storm, and neither figure is the probability that impacts will stay inside the cone.
Rank #2
- 72-HOUR EMERGENCY KIT FOR 2: Built for disaster preparedness at home, work or on the road, this 2-person survival backpack includes food, water, first aid, lighting, hygiene and shelter essentials for up to 3 days.
- FOOD, WATER & PURIFICATION: Includes two 2,400-calorie emergency food bars, six 4.225 oz water pouches, water purification tablets and a 32 oz BPA-free bottle to help support hydration and nutrition during outages or evacuations.
- FIRST AID & PERSONAL PROTECTION: Packed with a 33-piece first aid kit, 2 N95 dust masks, nitrile gloves, hygiene kits, ponchos, survival blankets and tissues for added protection, sanitation and comfort during emergencies.
- POWER, LIGHTING & COMMUNICATION: Includes a hand-crank emergency power station with flashlight, AM/FM radio, siren and cell phone charging, plus 2 emergency lightsticks and a 3-in-1 whistle, compass and thermometer.
- DELUXE SURVIVAL TOOLS IN ONE BACKPACK: Adds a multi-function tool, duct tape, bio-hazard bag and emergency contact card in a portable backpack. Ideal for earthquakes, hurricanes, blackouts, wildfire evacuation, cars and workplaces.
Can a hurricane affect places outside the cone?
Yes. As the NHC emphasizes, a tropical cyclone is not a point: strong winds and other hazards can extend far from its center and well beyond the cone. The cone is not a safe/unsafe line.
Use the cone alongside the relevant hazard graphics and local alerts:
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRank #3
- [7400mWh (2000mAh) POWER BANK WILL KEEP DEVICES POWERED] The FosPower FOSPWB-2376 emergency radio incorporates a 7400mWh (2000mAh) power bank capable of providing emergency power to any small tablet or phone.
- [3 POWER SOURCES POWER WHEN YOU NEED IT] Use the emergency weather radio's 3 power sources when you need a boost of power or need to recharge the radio. The radio's crank lever and solar panel are both capable of regenerating enough power to keep the radio, lights, and SOS alarm ready to go when you need it most. AAA Batteries ensure you have power when not able to regenerate power.
- [2 LIGHT SOURCES ALWAYS POWERED] The emergency crank radio can also provide light. The 4 LED reading light and 1W flashlight provides enough output to keep you and your loved ones out of the dark in an emergency situation.
- [NOAA EMERGENCY WEATHER BROADCAST ACCESS] The radio will dependably receive up to the second emergency weather forecasts and emergency news broadcasts from NOAA and AM/FM stations.
- [LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY] Includes a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Please visit FosPower's website for more information.
- Wind-field and wind-probability graphics: These provide information about wind extent and point-specific wind risk that the center-track cone cannot. NHC wind probabilities account for uncertainty in track, intensity, and storm size.
- Wind radii on the forecast/advisory graphic: Shaded wind areas show the maximum possible extent of a wind speed within each quadrant. A location inside the orange or red shading is not certain to experience those sustained winds; read the graphic’s legend.
- Local watches and warnings: Check current alerts for your location and follow local emergency guidance rather than using the cone’s edge to decide whether to prepare.
For the current definitions and explanation of these products, see the NHC’s tropical cyclone graphics guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the cone show the storm’s size?
No. The cone represents uncertainty about the center’s location, not the diameter or reach of the storm’s wind field. A storm’s effects may extend many hundreds of miles from its center. A narrow cone does not mean a small storm, and a wide cone does not mean the storm itself is physically large.
Rank #4
- Removes Bacteria & Parasites: The Microfiltration Membrane Removes 99.999999% of Waterborne Bacteria (Including E. Coli and Salmonella), and 99.999% of Waterborne Parasites (Including Giardia and Cryptosporidium) - Essential for Your Survival Kit
- Removes Microplastics: Removes the Smallest Microplastics Found in the Environment (Down to 1 Micron), and Reduces Turbidity Down to 0.2 Microns - Ideal for Hiking and Camping Essentials
- Rigorous Testing: All Claims Are Verified with Laboratories Using Standard Testing Protocols Set by the US EPA, NSF, ASTM for Water Purifiers
- Long Lifetime: The Microbiological Purification System Will Provide 4,000 Liters (1,000 Gallons) of Clean and Safe Drinking Water - a Must-Have for Your Bug Out Bag
- Make an Impact: For Every LifeStraw Product Purchased, a School Child in Need Receives Safe Drinking Water for an Entire School Year. Essential Camping Accessory Made With BPA Free Materials
How to distinguish the 2026 operational and experimental cones
During the 2026 hurricane season, NHC is issuing an experimental ellipse-based graphic in addition to the operational cone. The two products use different shapes and error calculations; do not apply the operational cone’s 67% circle explanation to the experimental ellipses.
| Graphic | Construction and error basis | Status and meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Operational cone | Circles around forecast points, based on the 67th percentile of absolute official track errors over the preceding five years. The 2026 radii use 2021–2025 errors. | Standard operational product; communicates uncertainty in the forecast center track. |
| Experimental cone | Ellipses anchored at forecast points. Their axes use the 90th percentile of the preceding five years’ along-track (faster or slower than forecast) and cross-track (left or right of forecast) errors. | Experimental product issued alongside the operational cone; NHC describes it as showing the likely track area of the storm center. |
NHC is soliciting feedback on the experimental product through November 30, 2026. Its experimental cone information explains the current product and its method. When reading either graphic, note the basin and forecast lead, then consult the wind, probability, and alert products for hazards at your location.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
