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Sample Ship/Buoy Observation The image below represents a sample ship or buoy observation. For more information about any parameters plotted in the station model, please click on that parameter or the links provided below.
TEMPERATURE The current air temperature measured to the nearest whole degree Farenheit. WEATHER A weather symbol is plotted if at the time of observation, there is either precipitation occurring or a condition causing reduced visibility. DEW POINT The current dew point temperature measured to the nearest whole degree Farenheit. WIND Wind is plotted in increments of 5 knots (kts), with the outer end of the symbol pointing toward the direction from which the wind is blowing. The wind speed is determined by adding up the total of flags, lines, and half-lines, each of which have the following individual values: PRESSURE Sea-level pressure is plotted in tenths of millibars (mb), with the leading 10 or 9 omitted. For reference, 1013 mb is equivalent to 29.92 inches of mercury. Below are some sample conversions between plotted and complete sea-level pressure values: PRESSURE TREND The pressure trend has two components, a number and symbol, to indicate how the sea-level pressure has changed during the past three hours. The number provides the 3-hour change in tenths of millibars, while the symbol provides a graphic illustration of how this change occurred. Below are the meanings of the pressure trend symbols: WATER TEMPERATURE The current water temperature measured to the nearest whole degree Farenheit. SWELL INFORMATION The swell direction, period, and height are represented in the surface observations by a 6-digit code. The first two digits represent the swell direction, the middle digits describe the swell period (in seconds), and the last two digits are the swell's height (in half meters). Below are two examples: WAVE INFORMATION The period and height of waves are represented by a 5-digit code. The first digit will be a "1" for buoy observations and a "2" for ship observations. The second and third digits describe the wave period (in seconds), and the final two digits give the wave height (in half meters). Below are two examples: SKY COVER The amount that the circle at the center of the station plot is filled in reflects the approximate amount that the sky is covered with clouds. Below are the common cloud cover depictions: WEATHER A weather symbol is plotted if at the time of observation, there is either precipitation occurring or a condition causing reduced visibility. STATION IDENTIFIER The format of the station identifier depends on the observing platform.
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