MIAMI, March 3, 2021—The National Hurricane Center will begin issuing tropical weather outlooks two weeks earlier this year.

Although the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, to provide more frequent information on the potential for tropical storm formation, the NHC will publish its first outlook May 15, according to a news release formally announcing the change.

The familiar maps showing tropical disturbances with two- and five-day formation possibilities will be issued at 8 a.m. EDT each day leading up to June 1 unless conditions warrant additional information.

In past years, the NHC only issued advisories before the season started if an area of interest developed.

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However, given recent increased tropical activity in the Atlantic basin in late May for the past nine years, beginning two weeks earlier offers a service improvement, according to a NHC news release.

Beginning May 15, these outlooks will be available at hurricanes.gov.