NOAA Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Bloom Forecasts and Satellite Imagery

2004-01-12 to present data from the NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System for the Gulf of Mexico. The collection includes forecast bulletins, processed satellite imagery, GIS files, and documents issued weekly or twice-weekly. It is produced by NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services and archived annually by NCEI.

Use Cases

• Train models to predict HAB transport and intensification using forecast bulletins and satellite imagery.
• Analyze correlations between ocean color satellite imagery features and field observations of red tide.
• Develop geospatial models for respiratory irritation risk by combining forecast bulletins with public health reports.
• Validate satellite-derived chlorophyll-a data against in-situ buoy data and field observations within the bulletins.

Strengths

• Operational time series spanning from 2004 to the present.
• Data integrates multiple sources: satellite imagery, field observations, models, and buoy data.
• Forecast bulletins provide regular, structured analysis issued weekly or twice-weekly.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, file sizes, and sample data details are unavailable.
• Data format includes legacy HDF4 files which may require specialized tools for processing.
• Geographic scope is limited to the Gulf of Mexico.

Provenance

Source

NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System (HAB-OFS), archived by NOAA NCEI.

Collection Method

Operational forecast system combining analysis of satellite imagery, field observations, models, public health reports, and buoy data.

Time Range

2004-01-12 to present

Freshness

Updated with new accessions containing the previous 12 months of data; bulletins issued weekly or twice-weekly.

Geography

Gulf of Mexico