1. Oceanic and Atmospheric Climate and Weather: Observations and Predictions
Dr. Richard Hires
Center for Maritime Systems
Stevens Institute of Technology

2. Climate vs. Weather
Average conditions over long time scales produce climate.
Short-term intense variations in atmospheric or ocean conditions produce weather.

3. Oceanic and Atmospheric Interaction

4. Earth’s Climate Driven by complex interactions between:
Solar Heating of the land and ocean
Thermohaline circulation in the world ocean
Atmospheric pressure and wind fields
Wind driven ocean currents
Heating and cooling of the atmosphere by the ocean surface (and vice versa)

5. Climate Variations
The oceans modify Earth’s climate on many different scales:
Global
El Nino/La Nina
Basin
Caribbean Sea, Mediterranean Sea
Regional
Gulf Stream
Local
Sea Breeze, Storm Surge

6. Understanding Earth’s Climate
For much of our history, scientists studied the atmosphere and ocean independently with little thought given to their interaction.
Today, scientists are measuring many atmospheric and ocean parameters in an effort to quantify the interaction at the air-sea interface.

7. Scientific Method
Researchers are improving the prediction of Ocean Weather and Climate through:
Observations
Data analysis
Improved understanding of physics
Simulation & modeling
Ocean prediction systems

8. Observations

9. Image Courtesy of FNOMC: https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/PUBLIC

10. Image Courtesy of FNOMC: https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/PUBLIC

11. Image Courtesy of FNOMC: https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/PUBLIC

12. Image Courtesy of FNOMC: https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/PUBLIC

13. Image Courtesy of FNOMC: https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/PUBLIC

14. Observed Sea Surface Temperature
Image Courtesy of the Naval Postgraduate School:

15. Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly Departure from the long-term July climate
Image Courtesy of the Naval Postgraduate School:

16. El Nino SST Anomaly Sept. 1997
For more information see:

17. La Nina SST Anomaly Sept. 1995
For more information see:

18. Global Impacts El Nino La Nina
Images Courtesy of the Naval Postgraduate School:

19. Neutral Condition La Nina El Nino
Images Courtesy of the Naval Postgraduate School:

20. Modeling & Prediction of Ocean Weather

21. Global Models
Both of the
Atmosphere and
Ocean

22. Predicted upper level global wind field
For additional plots see:

23. Predicted Global Sea Surface Height Anomalies
Image courtesy of the Southampton Oceanography Centre:

24. Predicted Global Wave Heights
Image Courtesy of FNOMC:

25. Regional Models
Both for the
Atmosphere and
Ocean

26. Predicted surface winds and temperatures
Image Courtesy of Unisys Weather:

28. Product of NOAA’s Regional Ocean Forecast System (ROFS): http://polar

29. Product of NOAA’s Regional Ocean Forecast System (ROFS): http://polar

30. Product of NOAA’s Regional Ocean Forecast System (ROFS): http://polar

31. Product of NOAA’s Regional Ocean Forecast System (ROFS): http://polar

32. Predicted Regional Wave Height & Direction
Product of NOAA Operational Modeling Branch, Wave Watch III Model:

33. Local Models

34. Integrated Observing and Modeling Systems

35. Chesapeake Bay Observation & Forecast System NOS
Product of NOAA/NOS CO-OPS Program:

37. North Wind
South Wind
From “A Guide To Wind Event Response in Chesapeake Bay”

38. Images Courtesy of NOAA/AOML Hurricane Research Division: http://www

39. Product of NOAA/NOS CO-OPS Water Level Retrieval System: http://co-ops

40. Urban Ocean Observatory
The New York Harbor Observing and Prediction System
NYHOPS

41. NYHOPS Model Domain

42. Ferry Route Map –
New York Waterway

43. Observations turbidity, salinity, temperature (radio wireless )
HF RADAR (CODAR) surface currents and waves, ship surveillance
Met tower, wind, temperature, pressure (radio wireless)
ADCP: velocity, pressure, salinity, temp (hard-wired)

44. Real-Time Data
Product of the Center for Maritime Systems, Stevens Institute of Technology:

45. Product of the Center for Maritime Systems, Stevens Institute of Technology:

46. Water Level Predictions
Product of the Center for Maritime Systems, Stevens Institute of Technology:

47. Present Conditions (30 min update cycle)
Surface Salinity (psu) 24 April, 2004, 17:56 GMT
Surface Temperature (°F) 24 April, 2004, 17:59 GMT

48. New York – New Jersey Harbor High Resolution Model
Surface Current Forecasts
High Resolution Model
New York –
New Jersey Harbor

49. Surface Currents
Surface Salinity

50. Contaminated Sediment Transport Analysis and Dredging Impacts
Currents and Salinity
Depth