The observed temperature in degrees Fahrenheit valid at the indicated hour.
from NOAA

The weight of air surrounding an object. A change in pressure is caused by changes in air density, and air density is related to temperature. Warm air is less dense than cooler air because the gas molecules in warm air have a greater velocity and are farther apart than in cooler air.
from NOAA

The pressure exerted by the earth's atmosphere at any given point, determined by taking the product of the gravitational acceleration at the point and the mass of the unit area column of air above the point.
from NOAA

The shape of the shoreline and nearshore bottom.
from NOAA

About Current Direction

About Current Speed

QuikSCAT is the name of a NASA satellite which has a SeaWinds scatterometer that measures both the speed and direction of winds near the ocean surface. A scatterometer is a microwave radar sensor used to measure the roughness of the sea surface through the strength of the backscatter signal. The high radio frequency sent to the Earth's surface from the satellite hits the ocean surface and is scattered back to the satellite's antenna. A rough ocean produces a stronger signal than a smooth ocean.
from SEACOOS

Location and intensity of precipitation valid at the indicated time. The higher values on the reflectivity scale typically represent a greater intensity of precipitation. The "dB" in the dBz scale is logarithmic and has no numerical value, but is used only to express a ratio. The "z" is the ratio of the density of water drops (measured in millimeters, raised to the 6th power) in each cubic meter (mm^6/m^3). When the "z" is large (many drops in a cubic meter), the reflected power is large. A small "z" means little returned energy. The scale of dBZ values is also related to the intensity of rainfall. Typically, light rain is occurring when the dBZ value reaches 20. The higher the dBZ, the stronger the rainrate.
from NOAA

In oceanography, conductivity is measured and converted to salinity by a known functional relationship between the measured electrical conductivity of seawater temperature and pressure.
from NOAA

The temperature of the very surface of the ocean as measured from satellites or the temperature just below the ocean surface as measured from ocean buoys or other platforms.
from SEACOOS

The observed surface water temperature in degrees Fahrenheit valid at the indicated hour.

A snapshot of the observed wind direction valid for the indicated hour, using 36 points of a compass.
from NOAA

A sudden, brief increase in speed of the wind. According to U.S. weather observing practice, gusts are reported when the peak wind speed reaches at least 16 knots and the variation in wind speed between the peaks and lulls is at least 9 knots. The duration of a gust is usually less than 20 seconds.
from NOAA

A snapshot of the observed sustained wind speed (in knots) valid for the indicated hour.
from NOAA

Special Marine Warning Issued for strong to severe thunderstorms with winds 34 knots or greater, waterspouts, or hail 3/4" or greater that are imminent or expected within 2 hours. They may also be issued for strong cold fronts or outflow boundaries with short duration winds in excess of 34 knots.

Marine Weather Statement Issued for non-severe phenomena that may still pose a threat to the marine community including weak thunderstorms, sea fog, hazardous material spills. Marine Weather Statements are also issued as outlooks for when Gale, Storm or Hurricane Force Wind Warnings are expected and to provide follow-up information to Special Marine Warnings.

Small Craft Advisory Required for sustained wind speeds of 25 to 33 knots and/or 6 feet or higher. The criteria for Small Craft Advisory slightly varies from region to region.

Small Craft Advisory For Hazardous Seas Wind speeds are lower than Small Craft Advisory criteria, yet waves or seas are potentially hazardous due to wave period, steepness, or swell direction.

Small Craft Advisory for Winds When wave heights are lower than Small Craft Advisory criteria, yet wind speeds are potentially hazardous.

Gale Watch Conditions are favorable for a gale force wind event to meet Gale Warning criteria of 34-47 knots in the next 12 to 48 hours.

Gale Warning Issued for sustained wind speeds of 34 to 47 knots. There are no wave height criteria with Gale Warnings.

Storm Watch Conditions are favorable for a storm force wind event to meet Storm Warning criteria of 48-63 knots in the next 12 to 48 hours.

Storm Warning Issued for sustained wind speeds of 48 to 63 knots. There are no wave height criteria with Storm Warnings.

Hurricane Force Wind Watch Conditions are favorable for a hurricane force wind event to meet Hurricane Force Wind Warning criteria of 64 knots or greater in the next 12 to 48 hours.

Hurricane Force Wind Warning Issued for sustained wind speeds of 64 knots or higher. There are no wave height criteria with Hurricane Force Wind Warnings

Coastal Flood Advisory Issued for minor coastal flooding events. These events are marked by a high astronomical tide and most times an onshore wind.

Coastal Flood Watch Issued for the possibility of moderate to major coastal flooding within 12 to 48 hours.

Coastal Flood Warning Issued for moderate to major coastal flooding expected within 12 to 24 hours, or is imminent or already occurring.

Coastal Hazard Message Issued approximately every 6 hours to provide follow-up information on a Coastal Flood Advisory, Watch, or Warning. Coastal Hazard Messages are also issued to provide information on rip current risks and High Surf Advisories.

High Surf Advisory/Warning Issued when breaking wave action poses a threat to life and property within the surf zone.

Low Water Advisory Water levels are significantly below average and may cause impact to safe marine navigation.

Freezing Fog Advisory Issued for very light ice accumulation from persistent freezing fog when expected within the first, second, or occasionally third periods.>

Dense Fog Advisory Widespread or localized fog reducing visibilities to 1 NM or less.

Dense Smoke Advisory Widespread or localized smoke reducing visibilities to 1 NM or less.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued when there is an increased potential for severe thunderstorms that may produce hail 3/4 inch or greater, and/or damaging wind of 58 mph or greater.

Tornado Watch A tornado watch is issued when there is the potential for three or more tornadoes, or any tornado that could produce f2 damage or greater, within the watch area.

Severe Weather Statement Severe weather statements are issued to provide follow-up information on Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado warnings.

Hurricane Watch Hurricane conditions (sustained winds at least 74 mph) are possible within 36-48 hours.

Hurricane Warning Hurricane conditions (sustained winds at least 74 mph) are expected within 24-36 hours.

Tropical Storm Watch Tropical Storm conditions (sustained winds 39-73 mph) are possible within 36-48 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning Tropical Storm conditions (sustained winds 39-74 mph) are expected within 24-36 hours.

Inland Hurricane Watch Issued for non-coastal counties when there is a 50 percent or greater probability of experiencing hurricane force winds (sustained winds at least 74 mph).

Hurricane Local Statement Issued when there is a Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch or Warning in effect for an area to provide specific information about a storm's impacts.

Rip Currents Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves. More Information