Carolinas Coast: A One-Stop Carolinas Coast: A One-Stop Shop for Marine Observations Shop for Marine Observations

in the Carolinasin the Carolinas

Supported byNOAA, SECOORA, SEACOOSNC SeaGrant & SC SeaGrant

A partnership among:A partnership among:Carolinas Coastal Ocean Observing and Prediction SystemCarolinas Coastal Ocean Observing and Prediction System

Coastal Ocean Research and Monitoring ProgramCoastal Ocean Research and Monitoring ProgramNOAA NWS Wilmington Weather Forecast OfficeNOAA NWS Wilmington Weather Forecast Office

What is “Carolinas Coast”?“Carolinas Coast” is a web portal that incorporates near real-time coastal and marine observations, forecasts, and hazards alerts for NC, SC and most of GA.

This information is useful to:

• recreational enthusiasts• commercial shipping & fishing• emergency managers

This site enables the NWS to effectively distribute Marine weather warnings and forecasts.

Why is Carolinas Coast needed?

This “one stop shop” for coastal and marine weather data enables users to quickly access information they need to:

• make sound boating decisions

• maintain the safety of maritime transportation

• enhance local and national economy by providing information vital to commerce and coastal industries

What was the approach?To build on the strengths in data aggregation and IT development by coastal ocean observing programs in the region through:

Aggregation of near real-time observations from in-situ platforms, models, and remote sensing

Application of technologies developed by SEACOOS, Caro-COOPS, and CORMP

Integration with NOAA NWS observations and products

Leveraging of outreach activities within the NWS and the coastal ocean observing programs

What remains?

• The Carolinas Coast website is now in the NWS Eastern Region review process.

• NWS-Wilmington WFO providing technical “troubleshooting” expertise to help with any NWS issues that arise during the testing period.

Tropical Storm Ernesto helped website developers prioritize NWS code in a “trial by fire” test. Image shows barometric pressure from the TS, as the eye was over Eastern NC.

What remains?

NWS Eastern Region review

• In-house NWS open comment period that continues until Sept. 26.

• Suggested changes made during this period will be incorporated into the site.

• Once complete, the site can then be moved onto NWS servers and go live for a 6-12 month “Experimental” phase.

What remains?

• Once the Carolinas Coast site is “experimental,” best ways to export the site regionally will be further pursued.

1. There have been some basic discussions with the following groups in regards to expansion efforts:a. NWS Eastern & Southern Regions, Carolinas Coast web

development team, SECOORA, USF, & the Tampa WFO

2. There are also NWS discussions on how to best create “Marine” websites nationwide and Carolinas Coast is the main example they are using in their discussions.

Questions?

http://nautilus.baruch.sc.edu/carolinas/carolinascoast.php