Canadian hurricane centre forecasts and products
This page explains the forecasts and services from the Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC). The Centre uses a variety of forecast products to track tropical cyclones and warn people about possible storm impacts in Canada.
Tropical cyclone track information
The Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) shares storm track information on Canada.ca/weather during hurricane season, from June 1 to November 30. They do this when a tropical or post-tropical storm forms in the Atlantic Ocean.
How we show storm tracks
There are a variety of steps to show storm tracks:
- When the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) provides updates about a storm that will not affect Canada, we update our map using their track at least twice a day
- When both the Canadian Hurricane Centre and the National Hurricane Center provide updates about the same storm, we post our own forecast track map
- When we report on a post-tropical storm and the NHC stops providing updates, we continue to post our own forecast track map
When there are no active storms, we still post a map. It will include a satellite image and clearly show that there are no upcoming storms. We update this image daily.
Forecast track map
The forecast track map shows important details about the storm. It helps you understand where the storm is and where it might go next.
Long description
This image is a forecast track map issued by Environment Canada’s Canadian Hurricane Centre for a tropical cyclone named Erin, with information valid as of 9:00 a.m. ADT on August 22, 2025. The map shows the northwest Atlantic Ocean and eastern Canada, including parts of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Labrador.
A blue line with cyclone symbols traces Erin’s projected path moving from the southwest (lower left of the image) toward the northeast (upper right). The storm begins well south of Atlantic Canada and travels diagonally across the ocean, staying offshore but approaching Newfoundland.
Surrounding the track is a yellow, elongated cone-shaped area, representing the forecast uncertainty zone. This cone widens as it extends eastward, indicating increasing uncertainty in the storm’s exact position over time.
Along the track, time markers indicate the forecast positions at specific intervals:
- 09:00 Friday near the southwestern portion of the track
- 21:00 Friday further northeast
- 09:00 Saturday
- 21:00 Saturday
- 09:00 Sunday near the far northeastern end
Next to several points along the track are wind speed labels in red, showing expected maximum sustained winds:
- Around 150 km/h in the earlier stages (southwest portion)
- Gradually decreasing to 140 km/h
- Then 130 km/h as the storm progresses northeastward
The map includes geographic references such as:
- Halifax, Charlottetown, and Fredericton on the mainland
- St. John’s on Newfoundland
- Coastlines and provincial boundaries outlined in light blue
A red boundary line appears to the south of the track, possibly indicating a marine or forecast region boundary.
In the upper-right corner, a legend explains the symbols used for different storm types (for example, tropical storm, hurricane, post-tropical cyclone), though the exact symbols are small.
Map label
The label in the top left corner shows that this forecast was issued by Environment Canada’s Canadian Hurricane Centre at 9:00 a.m. ADT on August 22, 2025. The time is given in Atlantic Daylight Time, which is commonly used for storms that may affect Atlantic Canada.
Track positions, times, and wind speeds
The map shows Hurricane Erin’s expected path using a series of points connected by a blue line. Each point marks the storm’s predicted position at a specific time, labeled along the track (Friday morning and evening, Saturday morning and evening, and Sunday morning). These points are spaced about 12 hours apart and show the storm moving northeast across the Atlantic Ocean. Red labels next to the track indicate forecast wind speeds, starting near 150 km/h and gradually decreasing to about 130 km/h as the storm moves farther from land.
Storm type symbols
The legend in the top right corner of the map shows symbols for four types of storms:
- Tropical depression
- Tropical storm
- Hurricane
- Post-tropical storm
In this example, the storm changes from a hurricane to a post-tropical storm as it moves toward Nova Scotia.
Long description
A zoomed-in legend from the official track map depicting the various tropical cyclone strengths from Depression to Hurricane, as well as the normal labelling conventions that are used by the CHC for this forecast product. Storm name is positioned below, and maximum wind speeds are often placed beside a forecast “node” along with the time of day.
Boundaries
The map often shows red lines. These lines mark the CHC Response Zone and Environment Canada marine forecast areas. They help people quickly understand location of the storms path.
Tropical cyclone bulletins
The Canadian Hurricane Centre provides two types of bulletins when a storm may bring strong winds (63–117 km/h) to Canada within three days.
Tropical cyclone information statement
This bulletin provides clear, simple information for the public.
It includes:
- Section 1: Current position, strength, movement, and pressure of the storm
- Section 2: Reports of damage or impacts and what we expect next, including wind, rain, storm surge and waves
- Section 3: Marine warnings and more impact details
Tropical cyclone technical discussion
This bulletin provides more detailed information for Emergency Management partners.
It includes:
- Section 1: Current position, strength, pressure, and movement of the storm
- Section 2: Forecast position, pressure, and strength in a table
- Section 3: A detailed explanation of the forecast
- Analysis (current storm conditions)
- Prognosis (future storm conditions)
- Predicted wind areas
We stop sending bulletins when:
- The storm moves away from Canada and no longer brings strong winds or heavy rain
- The storm becomes extratropical and loses its tropical features
- The storm weakens below gale strength and heavy rain ends
We always check with regional Storm Prediction Centres before we stop issuing bulletins.
Watches and warnings
A watch means a storm may affect an area within 36 hours. There is some level of forecast uncertainty, but you should get ready.
A warning means a storm is likely to affect an area within 24 hours. You should take action right away.
Learn more about colour-coded weather alerts.
Learn more about how we alert for hurricanes and tropical storms.
Note:
- Marine Warnings and Watches are part of a separate alerting program, see the Canadian Marine Warning Program for marine conditions. These storms can also cause heavy rain and flooding
- We only issue hurricane warnings for tropical storms, not extratropical storms