Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watch/Warning Breakpoints

The National Hurricane Center, in coordination with other National Weather Service forecast offices, is responsible for issuing, changing and ending U.S. coastal hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings. The meteorological services of other countries are responsible for watches and warnings in their own lands.

The coastal areas placed under tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings are described through the use of "breakpoints" or geographical positions. The National Hurricane Center maintains a list of pre-arranged breakpoints for the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts, Mexico, Cuba and the Bahamas. Other sites are unofficial and sites not on the list can be selected if conditions warrant.

Here is the 2003 list of international breakpoints for Atlantic and Eastern Pacific tropical cyclones.