One hurricane forecast to extend to seven days. More time for Florida to watch — and worry

Two more days to prepare — or worry.

Starting this storm season, the National Hurricane Center is making a notable change in its forecasts. It won’t affect the cone of uncertainty — the tracking graphic just about everyone who lives in Florida or other coastal states watches with anxiety. Forecasters create that only after a tropical depression forms. That graphic will stay at 5 days, as usual.

The change will come for graphics the NHC produces before a depression forms. They rank the odds of disturbances and tropical waves morphing into full-fledged systems within broad areas. Those forecasts, provided twice a day, will switch from a 2-day and 5-day chance of formation to a 2-day and 7-day chance.

“We realize there’s always a need for additional lead time for a variety of users to know there’s something forming,” said Michael Brennan, NHC’s acting deputy director. “That’s why we decided to push out.”