F191 Format: Buoy Wave Spectra and Meteorological Data

National Ocean Service data from late 1982 provides a snapshot of ocean wave spectra and meteorological conditions from fixed platforms. Processed to the NODC F191 standard, the dataset contains seven record types detailing buoy position, sampling parameters, and meteorological measurements like temperature and pressure. However, the data does not fully conform to the intended format, requiring careful handling.

Use Cases

• Analyzing wave frequency and density spectra for coastal engineering studies
• Correlating meteorological parameters like temperature and pressure with wave conditions
• Validating historical oceanographic models using fixed platform observations
• Studying the duration and sampling rate of buoy data collection operations

Strengths

• Data originates from the authoritative National Ocean Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Covers a specific six-week time range from October 26 to December 6, 1982
• Structured according to a documented standard format (NODC F191) with seven distinct record types

Limitations

• Critical metadata is missing across all sources, including column names, row count, and license information
• The data is explicitly noted as not completely conforming to the F191 format
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, with one showing 1982 and another showing a future date of 2026

Provenance

Source

National Ocean Service (NOS), processed by the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC)

Collection Method

Collected from fixed platforms

Time Range

1982-10-26 to 1982-12-06

Freshness

2026-03-05 22:38:38.863915