Definition
A weather data overlay, displayed on a Multi-Function Display (MFD), that shows the past, current, and forecast path of an active tropical cyclone (hurricane or tropical storm), typically including its position, intensity category, and projected movement over the next several days.
Plain English
A line on the cockpit display that shows where a hurricane has been, where it is now, and where it is expected to go.
Context Anchor
Seen on electronic cockpit weather displays when reviewing large-scale weather, especially near coastal areas, ocean routes, or regions affected by tropical storms.
Derivation
Cyclone comes from the Greek kyklon, meaning 'moving in a circle,' which describes the rotating wind pattern around the storm's low-pressure center. The label CYCLONE on the MFD is the technical category covering hurricanes, tropical storms, and tropical depressions.
Why Pilots Care
Helps pilots identify and avoid areas of severe weather during route planning.
Grounding Statement
Picture a moving storm marked on a map with points and a path showing where it is going next.
Intuition Check
Do not read “track” as something the airplane follows here. It is the storm’s path, not the aircraft’s route.
Example Sentence 1
Before departing for Miami, the pilot pulled up the hurricane track on the MFD to see whether the storm's forecast path would cross the route during the flight.
Example Sentence 2
We adjusted altitude and heading after seeing the CYCLONE symbol on the MFD.