A Marine Forecaster´s View of Present Marine Weather Data Technology

The present state of marine weather data technology may be broken down into two major categories: 1) "in-situ" environmental measurements; and 2) remote sensing of the marine environment. In-situ weather measurements are routinely taken by observers on cooperating commercial vessels and aircraft crossing the oceans, as well as on the few remaining ocean weather station vessels. To an increasing extent however, observations of surface weather are being taken by automated buoys of several types. Coastal winds and waves are being observed by automated recording devices along the U.S. coastline. Remote sensing from operational satellites has also become an important source of data. Meteorological and surface oceanographic data is now available in real-time on a routine basis from several satellite systems, and development is continuing on new and improved types of sensors. Land-based remote sensors, particularly involving microwave applications, also show great promise for the near future.