A database for the outer sizes of tropical cyclones over the Middle Americas

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are catastrophic phenomena and represent a constant threat to populations settled in the tropics. We analyzed 222 and 400 TCs over the North Atlantic (NA) and the Eastern North Pacific (EP) basins, respectively, during the 2000–2024 period. This database provides TC location, TC outer sizes defined by two independent algorithms, and TC spatial metrics every 6 hours.

This dataset is provided in a tab-delimited text format with six-hourly information on TC location, maximum winds, central pressure, and size metrics over the NA and EP basins. The dataset format follows the structure of HURDAT2 and previously developed TC outer size datasets. Our compilation includes: (1) non-synoptic best-track times, mainly to indicate landfall and peak intensity; (2) non-developing tropical depressions; and (3) precipitation-based radii when available.

TC tracks are obtained from HURDAT2. Sizes are presented by quadrant oriented along the cardinal directions (NE, NW, SW, and SE) in kilometers (km). Shape metrics include asymmetry (A), solidity (S), and dispersion (D).

Outer size estimates are derived from two methodologies: ROCLOUD and RPB. Due to limitations in the availability of required input datasets, RPB-derived size metrics are not available for the period 2020–2024. However, all remaining variables and ROCLOUD-based metrics are fully computed for the entire 2000–2024 record.

The information is organized as follows:

EP132006, LANE, 17,

EP132006: TC code
LANE: TC name
17: Number of entries of this TC in our dataset

Example record:

20120704 0600 12.1 -105.3 55 1006 354.91 552.39 645.30 817.04 592.41 0.57 0.24 0.13 144.14 44.53 141.00 899.99 307.42

20120704 : date (YYMMDD)
0600 : hour (hhmm)
12.1 : TC center latitude (Positive: Northern Hemisphere, Negative: Southern Hemisphere)
-105.3 : TC center longitude (Negative: Western Hemisphere, Positive: Eastern Hemisphere)
55 : Maximum 1-minute sustained surface wind (knots)
1006 : Minimum sea level pressure (hPa)
354.91 : Maximum extent (km) of the northeastern quadrant defined by ROCLOUD
552.39 : Maximum extent (km) of the northwestern quadrant defined by ROCLOUD
645.30 : Maximum extent (km) of the southwestern quadrant defined by ROCLOUD
817.04 : Maximum extent (km) of the southeastern quadrant defined by ROCLOUD
592.41 : Mean extent (km) of the four quadrants defined by ROCLOUD
0.57 : Asymmetry value (range 0–1)
0.24 : Dispersion value (range 0–1)
0.13 : Solidity value (range 0–1)
144.14 : Maximum extent (km) of the northeastern quadrant defined by RPB
44.53 : Maximum extent (km) of the northwestern quadrant defined by RPB
141.00 : Maximum extent (km) of the southwestern quadrant defined by RPB
899.99 : Maximum extent (km) of the southeastern quadrant defined by RPB
307.42 : Mean extent (km) of the four quadrants defined by RPB

Missing data are denoted by −9999, reflecting periods when satellite imagery or required input datasets were not available.