NOAA Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Bloom Forecasts and Satellite Data

Operational forecast bulletins and processed satellite imagery track Karenia brevis (red tide) blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. The NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System generated this data from March 20 to December 18, 2002, issuing reports twice weekly during active bloom periods.

Use Cases

• Correlate forecast bulletin text on bloom transport and intensification with concurrent processed HDF4 satellite imagery.
• Analyze temporal patterns in twice-weekly forecast issuance against field observations and buoy data mentioned in bulletins.
• Train models to predict respiratory irritation risk zones using geographic information from GIS files and ocean color analyses.
• Validate satellite-derived ocean color data against in-situ public health reports and field observations referenced in the system.

Strengths

• Forecast bulletins issued on a consistent operational schedule (twice weekly during active HABs).
• Multimodal data integration includes satellite imagery, GIS files, models, and field reports.
• Covers a defined 9-month operational period for the Gulf of Mexico region.

Limitations

• Data is from a single, historical year (2002) and may not reflect current oceanographic conditions.
• Sample size and specific row counts for imagery and bulletins are unknown.
• Primary satellite imagery is in the legacy HDF4 format, which may require specialized tools for processing.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Accession 0208605, created by the NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System (HAB-OFS).

Collection Method

Operational forecast system outputs integrating satellite imagery, field observations, models, public health reports, and buoy data.

Time Range

2002-03 20 to 2002-12-18

Freshness

null

Geography

Gulf of Mexico