National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) brings extensive expertise in the areas of hurricane research, physical oceanography, ocean chemistry and ocean acoustics. Initially, AOML will be participating in the SFOMC in the testing of passive acoustic methods for measurements of rainfall, wind and breaking waves. Using an array of hydrophones on the ocean floor, to be operated as a phased array that can focus on small area of the ocean surface, it is possible to monitor the high frequency ambient noise and compare the results with other observations of these parameters.

Rainfall is the major source of energy for driving the circulation of the atmosphere. The changes in phase of water from liquid to vapor and back to liquid permit the storage and release of latent heat. This released latent heat can greatly influence atmospheric dynamics. Rainfall is a highly variable parameter with its most distinctive feature being the enormous variation in its occurrences. Rainfall can vary in time and space in a matter of seconds or minutes over distances of tens of meters by orders of magnitude intensity. All this makes rainfall difficult to measure over ocean areas. The SFOMC will provide for long-term ocean testing and ground truth demonstrations.

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If you would like additional information, please contact:

Mr. Tom Metz, Detachment Director, South Florida Testing Facility Telephone: (954) 926-4000 Fax: (954) 926-4031