Tropical cyclone names – Two tropical cyclone names in the Atlantic were retired from the official name rotation by the World Meteorological Organization’s hurricane committee because of the deaths and damage they caused in 2010. This committee issues the potential names for tropical cyclones to be used every six years for both the Atlantic and eastern North Pacific basins.

Tsunamis – In the wake of Japan’s tsunami disaster, NOAA has urged Americans who live and vacation at the coast to take the threat of tsunamis seriously. With more coastline than any other country and proximity to several major fault lines, the Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf and Caribbean coasts of the United States are vulnerable to tsunamis.

NOAA’s Arctic Plan – NOAA explained on 16th March how it will concentrate scientific, service, and stewardship efforts in the Arctic when it released its first ever Arctic Vision and Strategy.