Seven new hurricane buoys deployed

Citation

(2006), "Seven new hurricane buoys deployed", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 15 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/dpm.2006.07315bab.009

Seven new hurricane buoys deployed

In June 2005, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) launched six new weather data buoy stations designed to enhance hurricane monitoring and forecasting. The buoys have been deployed in key locations in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean. A seventh buoy re-established a former station off the coast of Pensacola, Florida. Following last year’s active hurricane season, the NDBC received $1.8 million in supplemental funding from Congress for the new buoy stations.

Wind, wave, barometric pressure, and temperature data from the new stations will help the NOAA Tropical Prediction Center more accurately determine formation or dissipation, extent of wind circulation, maximum intensity, and center location of the tropical cyclones. In addition, direction, height, and distribution of ocean waves generated by hurricane activity will be measured. Beyond their measurements of tropical cyclones, the buoys are also expected to provide year-round data for analysis and forecasts of other marine disturbances. Data from the buoys will also be used to validate the quality of measurements and estimates obtained from remote-sensing reconnaissance aircraft and satellites and National Weather Service forecasts.

For more information, visit: www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2458.htm. Access data from the new buoys (stations 42039, 42055, 42056, 42057, 42058, 41040, and 41041) at the NDBC’s web site at: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/.

(The above articles have been extracted from the Natural Hazards Observer July and September 2005 issues).