Any big weather event, such as a hurricane, typhoon, flood or drought, is generated by ocean conditions.
Major climate events, such as El Niño, result from ocean temperature changes. El Niño refers to abnormally warm ocean surface temperatures and changing wind patterns, which changes weather around the globe.
Prices of fruits, vegetables and grains are influenced by the ocean's impact on weather.
Local forecasts, warnings and current weather information are broadcast over more than 450 NOAA Weather Radio transmitters, nationwide.
The ocean plays an important role in shaping our climate and weather patterns. Warm ocean waters provide the energy to fuel storm systems that provide fresh water vital to all living things.
Understanding and predicting precipitation is critical to farmers who decide which crops to plant, and how deep, based in part on soil moisture levels. Crop and food prices may increase when weather that is too wet or too dry adversely affects crops. Like precipitation, extreme heat and cold also affect livestock management.
Weather prediction can be a life-saving tool. Aside from helping people prepare for catastrophic storms, it can help citizens and governments anticipate extreme hot and cold temperatures, which may cause death among the elderly.
Water management experts study how much rainfall to anticipate so they can manage reservoir levels and water usage, to ensure everyone has abundant water supplies.
The National Weather Service, part of the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is the agency responsible for issuing weather forecasts, watches and warnings for the protection of life and property, and for monitoring and predicting the climate.
With 119 forecast offices nationwide, the National Weather Service uses state-of-the-art advanced satellite imagery from NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service to monitor changes in the ocean surface temperature and atmospheric responses.
The National Weather Service and NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research employs a network of buoys placed in the ocean and along coastlines to measure temperature, currents and winds. Ships and aircraft also provide important oceanographic data.
Get educated and share your knowledge!
Always heed NOAA's National Weather Service warnings and advisories.
Know your risks and plan for them! Learn what to do when various weather systems affect your area.
Learn about climate events, such as El Niño, and how they impact you and the products and services on which you rely.
Purchase and use a NOAA Weather Radio, which gives 24-hour forecasts of weather in your area.
Support research programs that help us learn more about the role of the ocean.
NOAA's Year of the Ocean Information Line: 1-888-4YOTO98
NOAA's Year of the Ocean Website: www.yoto.com
National Weather Service Toll-free Weather Radio Codes: 1-888-nwr-same (1-888-697-7263)
National Weather Service Website: www.nws.noaa.gov
NOAA Climate Prediction Center Website: nic.fb4.noaa.gov
NOAA Weather Radio Website: www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/
National Data Buoy Center Website: www.ndbc.noaa.gov
NOAA El Niño Website: www.elnino.noaa.gov
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service Website: ns.noaa.gov/NESDIS/NESDIS_Home.html
NOAA Marine Prediction Center Website: www.ncep.noaa.gov/mpc
NOAA Tsunami Warning System Website: www.geophys.washington.edu/tsunami/general/warning/warning.html
Climate Modeling Website: www.gfdl.gov/gfdl_research.html
