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Merged Wind Observations
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What is Wind?Most of us see the wind all the time, and while we might occasionally stop to marvel at is strength we do not typically spend a lot of time thinking about it. Wind is air that is moving from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure, sometimes with considerable force. Why Is It Important?Winds play a critical role in determining the weather, but they also have a profound impact on the condition of the ocean. The interaction between the ocean and atmosphere is complex. Surface ocean circulation, coastal currents, waves and swell are primarily driven by the wind because the force of the wind against the surface of the ocean drives water in the direction that the wind is blowing. Meanwhile, ocean circulation plays an important role in the distribution of heat and water vapor in the atmosphere. Monitoring the wind and other variables such as air pressure, air temperature and water vapor gives us valuable information about how the ocean might respond to atmospheric changes. What is unique about this tool?This tool displays surface wind measurements for many locations and platforms, such as sea buoys, ships, coastal stations, airports and satellites. Merging many different sources of wind data into one display gives a unique perspective of local and regional affects of surface winds from land to shore to offshore. Strong fronts, as well as sea and land breezes can be observed. The animation of the wind observations over a wide-area provides a sense of trends and variability with time, allowing the user to see the speed of such fronts as the move across the region.
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