Development of a meteorological and oceanographic drifting buoy system

The NOAA Data Buoy Office (NDBO) is actively involved in the development of a meteorological and oceanographic drifting buoy system to provide a basic set of simple meteorological parameters during the First GARP Global Experiment (FGGE). One important aspect of planning for the FGGE is the measurement of near surface conditions (barometric pressure and temperature) from an array of buoys in the Southern Hemisphere. Increasing emphasis is also being placed on oceanographic measurements during the FGGE. A drifting buoy system design, with telemetry and position fixing by polar-orbiting satellite, has evolved and is now under test. Preliminary testing has demonstrated the feasibility of successful use of systems of this type in large scale arrays. This paper contains a description of each of the system elements and discusses in detail the results of testing and evaluation to date. Several problem areas are indicated that must be addressed during the next phase of the continuing development effort.