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Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, 2nd Edition, Chapter 4: Tropical Variability
This chapter presents an overview of the major cycles dominating intraseasonal and interannual variability in the tropics. Characteristic atmospheric and oceanic patterns for each oscillation are presented and methods for tracking the evolution of these cycles are described. Observations and conceptual models of equatorial waves are presented. Classical solutions for equatorial waves are outlined and the effects of moisture on the expression of these waves are discussed. Since the tropics are not an isolated region of the globe, the impacts of these cycles on higher latitudes are also explored ...
Introduction to Ocean Acoustics
This module explores ocean acoustics, focusing on the propagation and detection of sound in the marine environment. Sound propagation strongly depends on refraction caused by variations in sound speed, and reflection off the seafloor and sea surface. Detection of sound subsequently depends on its propagation path, background noise from human and natural sources, and the sensors used for detection.
Introduction to Hydrography
This module describes hydrography pertaining to nautical charting and navigation. It covers how nautical charts are created, who creates them, the products available, and how to find and use them.
A Forecaster's Overview of the Northwest Pacific
This module provides an introduction to the northwest Pacific for weather forecasters. It touches on major aspects of the geography, oceanography, and climatology. Geography looks at plate tectonics, topography, and human population. Oceanography examines ocean currents, coastal tidal ranges, and sea ice distribution. Climatology briefly discusses jets streams, distribution of synoptic features, storm tracks of tropical and extratropical cyclones, the fronts, and sensible weather associated with the Northeast and Southwest Monsoons.
Mesoscale Ocean Circulation Models
This module examines mesoscale ocean circulation models and features and processes that they predict. These models simulate temperature, salinity, currents, and elevation in 3 dimensions through a period of time. They have sufficient resolution to simulate features like fronts, eddies, upwelling, and internal tides. In this module, we examine current operational models, limitations to model forecasts, examples of predicted ocean features, and potential applications.
Jason-2: Using Satellite Altimetry to Monitor the Ocean
Altimeters onboard satellites such as Jason-2 measure sea surface height and other characteristics of the ocean surface. These characteristics are linked to underlying processes and structures, making altimetry data useful for understanding the full depth of the global ocean. This 75-minute module explores major discoveries made possible by altimetry data in oceanography, marine meteorology, the marine geosciences, climate studies, the cryosphere, and hydrology. For example, altimeters have played a vital role in detecting and monitoring sea level rise and its relation to climate change. The m ...
Nearshore Wave Modeling
Ocean waves near shore impact public safety, commerce, navigation, and, of course recreation. Predicting these waves has driven efforts to model them for more than two decades. This module introduces forecasters to different nearshore wave models, including phase-resolving and 1- and 2-dimensional spectral models. It describes the processes that wave models simulate, the assumptions they make, the initial and boundary conditions required to run the models, and potential sources of error in model forecasts. While focusing on SWAN, the module also examines the Navy Standard surf Model and Bouss- ...
Topics in Tropical Meteorology
This module brings together six short lessons about significant atmospheric and oceanic influences on tropical cyclone development in the Atlantic Ocean. Topics treated include the African Easterly Jet, the Loop Current, the Meridional Overturning Circulation, ocean heat content, the Saharan Air Layer, and the Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough, or TUTT.
Analyzing Ocean Swell
This module describes the main elements to consider when analyzing wave model and buoy data. The module focuses on data products available from NOAA including spectral plots, maps, and text bulletins. East and West Coast wave-masking exercises conclude the module. The content in this module is an excerpt from the previously published COMET module Rip Currents: Forecasting.
Operational Use of Wave Watch III
In this webcast, Dr. Hendrik Tolman (NOAA Marine Analysis Branch) discusses the operational use of NOAA WAVEWATCH III. The NOAA WAVEWATCH III is a forecast system that predicts wind-generated ocean waves. Dr. Tolman discusses what WAVEWATCH III can and cannot predict along with the model physics, numerics, and forecast products. Numerous examples illustrate the practical effects of several recent model improvements including high-resolution hurricane winds, surf zone physics, wave partitioning, and use of a multi-grid mosaic. The webcast concludes with a discussion of future improvements plann ...
North Wall Effects on Winds and Waves
North Wall events refer to high wind and wave events that occur along the north edge of warm, fast, western boundary currents. These events occur along the Gulf Stream off the mid-Atlantic states of the U.S. and along the Kuroshio Current near Japan and Taiwan. This module explores the relationships between atmospheric stability, winds, waves, and ocean currents during North Wall events. Using three different case studies, we examine the relevant aspects of several topics, including the synoptic setting, ocean currents, evolution of the marine boundary layer, growth of ocean waves, and potenti ...
Introduction to Ocean Currents
This module discusses the origin of ocean currents in both the open ocean and in coastal areas. The module focuses on the driving mechanisms for currents, along with influences that modify existing currents. Driving mechanisms include wind, horizontal density differences, and tides, while modifying effects include friction, bathymetry, and the Ekman spiral. The module concludes with a demonstration of data products and a brief overview of forecast considerations.
Introduction to Ocean Models
Oceans cover over 70% of the surface of the earth, yet many details of their workings are not fully understood. To better understand and forecast the state of the ocean, we rely on numerical ocean models. Ocean models combine observations and physics to predict the ocean temperature, salinity, and currents at any time and any place across the ocean basins. This module will discuss what goes into numerical ocean models, including model physics, coordinate systems, parameterization, initialization, and boundary conditions.
Wave Ensembles in the Marine Forecast Process
The NCEP Marine Modeling and Analysis Branch (MMAB) Ensemble Global Ocean Wave Forecast System (EGOWaFS) provides five-day forecasts of global winds, wind wave and swell conditions in probabilistic terms. This product became available early in 2007 both through an NCEP non-operational web page and, for raw data, through FTP for use by marine forecasters at NWS WFOs and other locations. The data from the EGOWaFS can be used in a number of ways, including:* As input to probabilistic marine forecasts for wind waves and swell* As input to a local wave ensemble, such as Simulated Waves Nearshore (S ...
Introduction to Ocean Tides
Ocean tides profoundly impact coastal maritime operations. This module provides an introduction to the origin, characteristics, and prediction of tides. After introducing common terminology, the module examines the mechanisms that cause and modify tides, including both astronomical and meteorological effects. A discussion of tide prediction techniques and products concludes the module. This module includes rich graphics, audio narration, embedded interactions, and a companion print version.
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