Data description
This dataset is from the TAO/TRITON (Pacific Ocean, https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/gtmba/ ), RAMA (Indian Ocean, https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/gtmba/pmel-theme/indian-ocean-rama ), and PIRATA (Atlantic Ocean, https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/gtmba/pirata/ ) arrays of moored buoys which transmit oceanographic and meteorological data to shore in real-time via the Argos satellite system. These buoys are major components of the CLIVAR climate analysis project and the GOOS, GCOS, and GEOSS observing systems. 5-day data is an average of daily values collected during consecutive five day intervals. A minimum of 2 daily values are required to compute a 5-day average. This dataset contains realtime and delayed mode data (see the ‘source’ variable). For more information, see https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/gtmba/mission .
Variables measured by the buoys
PIRATA buoys measure oceanic and atmospheric parameters, including:
- Atmosphere: solar and longwave radiation, rainfall, wind speed and direction, air temperature, humidity, sea-level pressure.
- Ocean surface: sea surface temperature (SST), salinity (SSS), density.
- Subsurface ocean: temperature, salinity, density at multiple depths; depth of the 20°C isotherm; heat content.
- Currents: ocean current speed and direction, measured by current meters and ADCPs (Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers).
- Position: daily latitude and longitude of the buoy.
Data averaging intervals
Measurements are collected at high frequency and then averaged over longer periods:
- High resolution: sub-daily data (e.g. hourly).
- Daily: daily averages.
- 5-day: averages over consecutive 5-day periods.
- Monthly: monthly averages.
- Quarterly: averages over three months.
For large datasets, subsampling may be applied in plots to improve readability.
Data Display and Delivery
Web browser: https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/drupal/disdel/
PMEL FTP site
please contact
Dai McClurg <dai.c.mcclurg@noaa.gov>
Paul Freitag <paul.freitag@noaa.gov>