NHC during slow times?

[TWTC]

The bottom line is that NHC forecasters do a lot off season which includes:
* post storm analysis
* preparing the annual National Hurricane Operations Plan (see OFCM web site)
* model verification
* training WMO meteorologists (from other countries) during the off season
* working with the Department of Defense weather agencies
* working on transitioning new research to operations
* training and outreach for FEMA, State and Local emergency managers
* requested talks around the country
* working on implementing new future products
* media documentaries: Discovery Channel, BBC, magazines, etc...
* re-evaluation of model re-runs that incorporate different pyshics or that * utilize different parameterizations (GFDL, HWRF, etc)
* new instrument retro-fit prep and evaluation for Hurricane Hunters
* Hurricane awareness tours to other countries
* research and AMS conferences
* peer reviews of ongoing tropical cyclone research
* scientific seminars
* setting up Hurricane exercises for various agencies and emergency managers for next season preparations (you have to practice before game-time)
* training
* NOAA seasonal forecast
* and of course warranted vacation time
* etc, etc, etc...

[JTD]

I never thought about the toll it takes on their personal lives but it must be so hard on the spouses and children. They probably never see each other, especially last year. It's a good thing hurricane season isn't year round.

I kind of deal with the same thing in my personal life with someone who is probably close to equally as busy.