Reliable weather sources during hurricane season : official accounts and organizations to follow in the Caribbean

Every year, the hurricane season, which runs from June to November, exposes Caribbean territories to weather events that can have significant impacts on people, infrastructure, and the environment. In this context, having access to reliable, official, and regularly updated information is essential to stay safe and make informed decisions.

Whether you live in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Dominica, Saint Lucia, or elsewhere in the Caribbean, knowing which information sources to trust is essential for monitoring a hurricane’s development and following official safety recommendations.

With rumours and misleading information spreading rapidly on social media, it is important to know how to identify trustworthy sources. Official meteorological agencies, national disaster management authorities, and a number of specialized weather pages provide valuable and reliable information to help you stay informed.

This article presents a selection of trusted resources, although it is not intended to be exhaustive. It also provides practical tips to help you assess the reliability of an account or webpage before sharing information.

 Weather forecasts across the Caribbean rely on the work of several international scientific organizations. Their data are used daily by national meteorological services and disaster management authorities.

National Hurricane Center (NHC)

Based in Miami, Florida, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is the leading authority for monitoring tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

The NHC publishes :

• official tropical cyclone advisories ;
• forecast tracks ;
• forecast cones (cones of uncertainty) ;
• advisories and regular updates throughout the lifecycle of tropical systems.

Its information serves as the primary reference for most Caribbean countries.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA is the U.S. federal agency responsible for monitoring the oceans and the atmosphere. It produces a wide range of scientific data used worldwide, including:

• satellite imagery ;
• ocean observations ;
• weather forecast models ;
• climate data.

These resources are widely used by national meteorological services and weather forecasting experts.

Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH)

Based in Bridgetown, Barbados, the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology is the region’s leading organization for meteorology, hydrology, and climate services.

The CIMH supports the meteorological services of Caribbean States, develops regional forecasting tools, and contributes to strengthening forecasting capacity and climate resilience across the region.

Each territory has its own meteorological service responsible for issuing weather forecasts and alerts tailored to local conditions.

For the French Caribbean, Météo-France Antilles-Guyane is the official reference source for monitoring hurricanes, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding.

Its publications include :

• weather alert levels ;
• tropical cyclone bulletins ;
• storm track forecasts ;
• preparedness and safety advice for the public.

For other Caribbean territories, it is recommended to rely primarily on your country’s national meteorological service, which adapts scientific information to local conditions.

While meteorological services provide information about the weather event itself, disaster management agencies explain the actions people should take to stay safe.

They provide information such as :

• safety instructions ;
• evacuation orders when necessary ;
• shelter opening information ;
• travel restrictions ;
• emergency messages.

In the French Caribbean, this information is issued by the Prefectures. In other Caribbean territories, the official reference is the national disaster management agency.

These include :

• National Office of Disaster Services – Antigua and Barbuda : here
• National Emergency Management Office – Saint Lucia : here
• National Emergency Management Office – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines : here
• National Emergency Management Agency – St. Kitts and Nevis : here
• National Disaster Management Agency – Grenada : here
• Office of Disaster Management – Dominica : here
• Centro de Operaciones de Emergencias – Dominican Republic : here

At the regional level, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) coordinates cooperation among participating States in disaster preparedness, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery.

In addition to official organizations, many independent pages provide daily updates on weather activity across the Caribbean.

Managed by meteorologists, weather enthusiasts, or natural hazard specialists, these pages offer analyses, maps, satellite imagery, and explanations that help readers better understand the development of tropical systems.

These pages should never replace the guidance issued by the competent authorities. However, they can be a valuable complement when they rely on recognized scientific data, clearly cite their sources, and relay official bulletins.

The list below is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive. Many other local pages also provide high-quality weather information.

How to recognize a reliable weather source ?

Not every weather page provides reliable information. Before following an account or sharing a post, take a moment to check a few key criteria.

A reliable source… 

• relies on official data (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Météo-France, ECMWF, national meteorological services, etc.) ;
• clearly distinguishes facts from forecasts and explains uncertainties when they exist ;
• updates its information regularly as the situation evolves ;
• relays official alerts and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities 
• explains weather phenomena in a clear and educational way rather than seeking sensationalism ;
• publicly corrects information when forecasts change.

Be cautious if a page…

• predicts disasters with certainty several weeks in advance ;
• publishes maps or screenshots without identifying their source ;
• uses alarmist headlines designed only to attract clicks ;
• mixes weather information with political or ideological opinions unrelated to the topic ;
• systematically challenges the scientific consensus on climate or information issued by recognized meteorological services ;
• never corrects inaccurate forecasts.

Verify before you share : a simple action that can save lives

During hurricane season, rumors can spread faster than official warnings. Before sharing a post, make sure it is recent, dated, comes from an identifiable source, and is consistent with the information issued by the competent authorities. Sharing verified information helps protect your family, friends, and community while limiting the spread of misinformation during emergencies.

Saving the websites and pages featured in this article today can save valuable time when a hurricane watch or warning is issued. During a crisis, just a few minutes can make all the difference.