Devolution, the transfer of power from a central government to subnational (e.g., state, regional, or local) authorities. Devolution usually occurs through conventional statutes rather than through a change in a country’s constitution; thus, unitary systems of government that have devolved powers in this manner are still considered unitary rather than federal systems, because the powers of the subnational authorities can be withdrawn by the central government at any time (compare federalism).
NOAA's Office for Coastal Management maintains a detailed online interactive mapping tool called Historical Hurricane Tracks at www.coast.noaa.gov/hurricanes. This tool offers users the ability to search and display global tropical cyclone data. The information can also be downloaded in widely-used GIS data formats.
Satellites, reconnaissance aircraft, Ships, buoys, radar, and other land-based platforms are important tools used in hurricane tracking and prediction. While a tropical cyclone is over the open ocean, remote measurements of the storm's intensity and track are made primarily via satellites.
