OPUS 1983: Moored Ocean Current and Wind Measurements near Point Conception

Moored current meter and wind recorder measurement near Point Conception, California: The 1983 OPUS Observations, from 1983-04-01 to 1983-07-29 (NCEI Accession 8600041). This dataset contains time series measurements of ocean currents and temperature from two VMCM moorings, plus meteorological data from two NDBC buoys, processed into the NODC F015 standard format. Data records likely include east-west (u) and north-south (v) current vector components, water temperature, and station metadata like position and sensor depth.

Use Cases

• Analyzing coastal upwelling intensity and persistence based on current vector time series.
• Validating regional ocean circulation models using Eulerian current measurements.
• Correlating wind forcing from NDBC buoys with local ocean current responses.
• Studying temporal variability in water temperature at fixed mooring locations.

Strengths

• Data is processed to a documented standard format (NODC F015).
• Includes complementary meteorological data from NDBC buoys.
• Provides a focused time series from a specific, well-defined field program (OPUS).

Limitations

• Metadata completeness is low; specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are unknown.
• There is a conflict in reported freshness: one platform lists a 2026 update, while another lists 1982.
• Documentation is referenced via an external link which may be outdated or broken.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce

Collection Method

Deployed VMCM current meter moorings and NDBC meteorological buoys.

Time Range

1983-04-01 to 1983-07-29

Freshness

2026-03-05 22:52:30.294926

Geography

Near Point Conception, California, USA