NOAA Coast Watch

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

1990

The NOAA CoastWatch program provides access to satellite data specifically focused on coastal and oceanographic observations, including sea surface temperatures, chlorophyll levels, and other marine parameters. It delivers near-real-time and historical data on key ocean conditions, making it essential for scientific research, weather forecasting, fisheries management, and climate studies. CoastWatch offers a wide range of oceanographic parameters. One of the key features is Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data, which helps track ocean heat changes, marine ecosystem health, and climate patterns such as El Niño and La Niña. Ocean color and chlorophyll concentration data are essential for studying phytoplankton biomass, harmful algal blooms, and overall water quality. Sea surface wind data provides information on wind patterns over oceans, which is crucial for understanding hurricanes, air-sea interactions, and ocean circulation. Additionally, sea level anomalies and altimetry data help detect variations in ocean height, which are useful for monitoring sea level rise, ocean currents, and storm surge risks. One of the unique aspects of the CoastWatch dataset is its near-real-time data availability, with updates occurring multiple times per day. This makes it an essential tool for weather forecasting, disaster response, and operational decision-making in maritime activities. Historical data extends back to the late 1980s, making it possible to analyze long-term ocean trends, including climate change effects on marine environments. The dataset has a size of more than 1000 TB and is organized into various sub-datasets, each focusing on specific oceanographic parameters:​

• Sea Surface Temperature (SST): Provides global SST measurements, essential for climate monitoring and weather forecasting.​

• Chlorophyll-a Concentration: Offers data on phytoplankton biomass, aiding in the assessment of marine ecosystem productivity and health.​

• Sea Surface Winds: Includes wind speed and direction data over the ocean surface, crucial for understanding weather patterns and ocean-atmosphere interactions.​

• Sea Level Anomalies: Contains information on variations in sea surface height, important for studying ocean circulation and sea level rise.