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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Ocean surface radial velocities obtained by High Frequency (HF) radar in coastal waters of Hawaii, North Slope Alaska, Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands, eastern US/Gulf of Mexico, and western US during August 2013 (NCEI Accession 0189560)

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The National Data Buoy Center in collaboration with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography assembles the data from the Integrated Ocean Observing System Data Assembly Center's Data Stewardship Program and submits the data on a monthly basis to NCEI. Radial velocity files contain metadata in a key-value format while the measured velocities and associated ancillary data are reported in a tab-delimited format.

Remote sensing of ocean surface velocity from shore-based HF radar sites bridges an operational observational gap between point samples obtained from in-situ sampling and synoptic scale relatively low resolution data obtained from satellites by providing continuous mesoscale coverage at relatively high resolution near the coast. HF radar systems measure the speed of ocean surface currents in directions radial to the antenna in near real time. Radial measurements of ocean velocity may be used directly in some applications such as model assimilation but are commonly used in combination with overlapping sites to estimate the total vector ocean velocity. Radial velocities alone are a measurement of surface ocean velocity projected along the direction radial to the antenna.

Systems operate continuously in all weather conditions and are installed near the coastline. Range resolution of measured currents is determined by the radar transmit bandwidth used. Bandwidth is controlled by radio frequency licenses and translates to range resolutions of 0.5 to 6 kilometers. Maximum ranges of current measurements also depend on radar transmit frequency and vary from about 40 km offshore to about 200 km offshore. Velocities are measured in the upper 0.3 - 2.5 meters of the ocean depending on the operating frequency and vertical velocity shear profile.
  • Cite as: Hervey, Rex V.; NOAA National Data Buoy Center (2019). Ocean surface radial velocities obtained by High Frequency (HF) radar in coastal waters of Hawaii, North Slope Alaska, Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands, eastern US/Gulf of Mexico, and western US during August 2013 (NCEI Accession 0189560). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0189560. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0189560
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Distribution Formats
  • LLUV (Version: 1.12)
    • File Specification: http://support.codar.com/Technicians_Information_Page_for_SeaSondes/Docs/GuidesToFileFormats/File_LonLatUV_RDL_TOT_ELP.pdf
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2013-08-01 to 2013-08-31
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -163.014867
East: -66.211433
South: 18.09995
North: 71.3789
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Surface ocean velocities obtained by HF radar from stations located along coastal waters of Hawaii, North Slope Alaska, Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands, eastern US/Gulf of Mexico and western US
    • NCEI Collection
      Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
  • Parent ID (indicates this dataset is related to other data):
    • gov.noaa.nodc:NDBC-HFRadarRadial
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2019-05-29
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
Documents about processing HF radar data and other related information are archived in NCEI accession 0126755.
Purpose This dataset is available to the public for a wide variety of uses including scientific research and analysis.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Hervey, Rex V.; NOAA National Data Buoy Center (2019). Ocean surface radial velocities obtained by High Frequency (HF) radar in coastal waters of Hawaii, North Slope Alaska, Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands, eastern US/Gulf of Mexico, and western US during August 2013 (NCEI Accession 0189560). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0189560. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Contributors
Resource Providers
Publishers
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Originator Keywords
  • current radial u-component
  • current radial v-component
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords HF Radar Site Code and Name
  • AGL1 - Pt. Arguello, CA
  • ANGL - Angel Island, CA
  • ARG1 - Pt. Arguello, CA
  • ASSA - Assateague, MD
  • BELM - Belmar, NJ
  • BIGC - Big Creek
  • BISL - Block Island, RI
  • BLCK - Block Island
  • BML1 - Bodega Marine Laboratory, CA
  • BMLR - Bodega Marine Laboratory Long Range
  • BRAG - Fort Bragg, CA
  • BRIG - Brigantine, NJ
  • BRMR - Brigantine, NJ
  • BRNT - Brant Beach, NJ
  • CAT - St. Catherine's, GA
  • CBL1 - Cape Blanco, OR
  • CDDO - Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
  • CDN - Crandon, FL
  • CEDR - Cedar Island, VA
  • CMPT - Cape May Point, NJ
  • COMM - Commonweal Center, Bolinas, CA
  • COP1 - Coal Oil Pt.
  • CPHN - Cape Henry, VA, USA
  • CRIS - Crissy Field, CA
  • CSTM - Cape St. Mary, NS, CA
  • CSW - Fort Caswell, NC
  • DCLR - Diablo Canyon Long Range, CA
  • DCSR - Diablo Canyon Standard Range, CA
  • DUCK - Duck, NC
  • ESTR - Point Estero, CA
  • EXPL - The Exploratorium Museum, CA
  • FBK1 - FallBack22, Pt. Sal, CA
  • FDS - Ft. De Soto, FL
  • FURA - Anasco, Puerto Rico
  • GCAP - Great Captain Island, CT
  • GCYN - Granite Canyon, CA
  • GMNB - Grand Manan, NB, CA
  • GRNI - Green's Island, Maine, USA
  • GTN - Georgetown, SC
  • HATY - Cape Hatteras, NC
  • HBSP - Henderson Beach State Park, FL
  • HEMP - Hempstead, NY
  • HLPN - Cape Henlopen, DE
  • JEK - Jekyll Island, GA, USA
  • KAL - Kalaeloa, HI
  • KNA - Kaena, HI
  • KOK - Koko Head, HI
  • LEND - Land's End, CA
  • LISL - Little Island Park, VA
  • LOO1 - Loomis Lake, OR
  • LOVE - Loveladies
  • LUIS - Point San Luis, CA
  • MAN1 - Manhattan Beach, OR
  • MGS1 - Mandalay Generating Station
  • MLML - Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, CA
  • MONT - Montara Sanitary District, Montara, CA
  • MRCH - Moriches, NY
  • MVCO - Martha's Vineyard, MA
  • NANT - Nantucket Island, MA
  • NAPL - Naples, FL
  • NAUS - Nauset, MA
  • NIC1 - Nicholas Canyon, CA
  • PAFS - Point Arena Field Station
  • PBON - Point Bonita, CA
  • PBRW - Point Barrow, AK
  • PESC - Pescadero, CA
  • PILR - Pillar Point Air Force Station, CA, USA
  • PORT - Port Monmouth, NJ
  • PREY - Point Reyes, CA
  • PTC1 - Point Conception, CA
  • PTLY - Point Lay, AK
  • PTM1 - Point Mugu, CA
  • RAGG - Ragged Point, CA
  • RATH - Strathmere, NJ
  • RDSR - Reddington, FL
  • RFG1 - Refugio State Beach
  • RTC1 - Romberg Tiburon Center, CA
  • SAUS - Sausalito-Marin City Sanitary District, CA, USA
  • SCCI - Catalina Island, CA
  • SCDH - Dockweiler Headquarters, CA
  • SCI1 - Santa Cruz Island, CA
  • SCPF - Point Fermin, CA
  • SCRZ - Santa Cruz
  • SDBP - San Diego, Border Park
  • SDCP - Camp Pendleton, CA
  • SDDP - Dana Point, CA
  • SDPL - San Diego, Point Loma
  • SDSC - San Clemente Is, CA
  • SDSE - San Elijo State Beach, CA
  • SDSL - San Diego, Scripps Long-range
  • SDUT - Upper Trestles, San Diego, CA
  • SDWW - Point Loma Waste Water Treatment Plant, CA
  • SEA1 - Seaside, OR
  • SHEL - Shelter Cove, CA
  • SILD - Staten Island, NY
  • SIMP - Cape Simpson, AK
  • SLID - Slide Ranch, CA
  • SLTR - Slaughter Beach, DE
  • SNI1 - San Nicolas Island, CA
  • SSD1 - Summerland Sanitary District
  • STF - Dania Beach, FL
  • STLI - Stehli Beach, NY
  • STV2 - Fort Stevens, OR
  • SUNS - Sunset Beach Resort, Cape Charles, VA
  • TRES - Treasure Island, CA
  • TRIN - Trinidad, CA
  • VCOL - Westshore Coal Terminal, Tsawwassen
  • VEN - Venice, FL
  • VENI - Venice, FL
  • VIEW - Ocean View Beach, VA
  • VION - Iona Wastewater Treatment Plant, Vancouver
  • VIR - Virginia Key, FL
  • WAIN - Wainwright, AK
  • WILD - Wildwood
  • WIN1 - Winchester Bay, OR
  • WLD2 - Waldport, OR
  • WOOD - North Wildwood, NJ
  • WSH1 - Washburne, OR
  • YHL1 - Yaquina Head Long, OR
  • YHS2 - Yaquina Head South, OR
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Hervey, Rex V.; NOAA National Data Buoy Center (2019). Ocean surface radial velocities obtained by High Frequency (HF) radar in coastal waters of Hawaii, North Slope Alaska, Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands, eastern US/Gulf of Mexico, and western US during August 2013 (NCEI Accession 0189560). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0189560. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2019-05-29T01:39:53Z - NCEI Accession 0189560 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • radar - high frequency oceanographic
Last Modified: 2024-03-26T14:47:08Z
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