The Hebert Boxes are defined as areas in the eastern Caribbean (Box #1) and western Caribbean (Box #2) through which almost all major hurricanes (winds greater than 110 mph) which have affected South Florida have moved.

Hebert Box #1 is defined as the area between 15-20 degrees North (15-20N) and 60-65 degrees West (60-65W). This box is for only August and September major hurricanes which have hit southeast Florida after passing through the box. While passing through the box, the tropical cyclone can have any strength from a tropical depression to a category 5.

Tropical cyclones moving to the north of this box usually recurve into higher latitudes and do not hit southeast Florida. Tropical cyclones moving to the south of this box usually continue westward through the western Caribbean Sea. Several category 4 hurricanes which moved through the box were weakened by the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola and eastern Cuba before striking southeast Florida and the Keys as category 2 hurricanes.

Hebert Box #2 is defined as the area between 15-20 degrees North (15-20N) and 80-85 degrees West (80-85W). This box is for only late September and October major hurricanes which have hit south Florida after forming in the western Caribbean Sea and passing through the box.

Previously existing hurricanes which are moving through the box towards the west or northwest and have not formed in the area are not to be considered. Tropical cyclones which form west of 85W and east of 80W either do not hit south Florida, or weaken to less than a major hurricane (winds 110 mph, or less), before hitting south Florida.

These boxes were discovered over 25 years ago by Paul Hebert, a 30 year veteran of the National Weather Service/National Hurricane Center, who is currently a weather consultant for Florida Power and Light.

Many thanks to Ira Brenner, Florida Power and Light Meteorologist, for assistance in preparing the maps.