Hurricane Forecasters Will Send Storm Warnings Earlier

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say
they will issue storm warnings and watches about half a day sooner
than before.

They hope watches 36-48 hours ahead of the storms will
give coastal residents more advance notice. They said Tuesday that
improved storm tracking allows them to do it.

But both the center and some local emergency officials say the
earlier warnings won't make much difference when it comes to
ordering evacuations.

Local officials who order evacuations are already watching the
storms closely. Sometimes they order evacuations before the
official warning comes out. But having an official warning sooner
could help bolster their decision.

The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1. The eastern Pacific
season begins May 15.

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