NOAA INCREASES U.S. TSUNAMI WARNING CAPABILITY

NOAA INCREASES U.S. TSUNAMI WARNING CAPABILITY WITH FOUR DART BUOY DEPLOYMENTS

August 3, 2007 — NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center has successfully established four new tsunami stations in the northwest Pacific Ocean, east of Japan and Russia. The four Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami, or DART stations, help provide additional detection and warning capability for Hawaii, Alaska and the West Coast of the United States. (Click NOAA image for a larger view of one of NOAA's newly deployed Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami, or DART stations. Click here for high resolution version. Please credit "NOAA.")

“The DART network is part of an ongoing effort to increase the U.S. tsunami warning capability," said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "Our detection capabilities also feed into the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, which means our data are part of a shared network that benefits the global community."

This deployment brings the total number in the U.S. DART network to 32 stations in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. When the network is completed in March 2008, NOAA will operate a total of 39 U.S. DART stations.

As waves travel across open waters, the DART stations provide real-time tsunami detection to forecasters at the NOAA tsunami warning centers. Each DART station consists of a bottom pressure sensor anchored to the seafloor, and a companion moored surface buoy. An acoustic link transmits data from the bottom pressure sensor to the surface buoy. Satellite links then relay the data to ground stations, and then to the tsunami warning centers for action within a matter of seconds. (Click NOAA image for a larger view of DART locations as of August 2007. Click here for high resolution version. Please credit "NOAA.")

The DART network complements other parts of the U.S. tsunami warning program, including NOAA's network of tide stations, forecast models for at-risk communities and the TsunamiReady education program.

NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is celebrating 200 years of science and service to the nation. From the establishment of the Survey of the Coast in 1807 by Thomas Jefferson to the formation of the Weather Bureau and the Commission of Fish and Fisheries in the 1870s, much of America's scientific heritage is rooted in NOAA.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 70 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA

NOAA’s National Weather Service

NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center

Real-time DART Buoy Station Data

Media Contact:
Theresa Eisenman, NOAA National Weather Service, 301-713-0622, ext. 150


Maritime Notes:

Severe weather has plagued much of this planet during August so far. Listed are the new ship casualties due to storms.

1991-built 35-meter tall ship Arung Samudera, owned by the Australian Navy and bound for the Apec meeting in Sydney, ran aground in heavy seas on a beach in south-east Queensland. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. Aug. 23 2007)

Oil tanker M/V Rajanigandha, Khulna-bound with 13 crew and 11,0000 tonnes of fuel oil, ran aground in strong winds at Ramdaspur in southern Barisal district. The crew were rescued by a port rescue team from Khulna. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. Aug. 23 2007)

M/V Saima, Dhaka-bound from Patenga tank terminal with 12 crew and 13,000 tonnes of fuel oil, sank in heavy weather n the Sandwip Channel, Bangladesh. Port tugboats rescued all crew. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. Aug. 23 2007)

M/V Feroz Farzana, with 700 tonnes of cement clinker, sank at Karnaphuli estuary in heavy weather, off Chittagong, Bangladesh. Twelve crewmen were rescued by trawlers and boats. The port's two tugboats, Kandari 1 and Kandari 2 tried to locate the sunken ship several times, but failed due to stormy weather conditions. Initial investigations indicate the ship was overloaded, as its capacity is 500 tonnes. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. Aug. 23 2007)

Unidentified car carrier collided with an unidentified tanker in strong winds at the Gelderse Hurwenen on the Walloon, Belgium on Aug. 21. The tanker suffered extensive damage. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. Aug. 23 2007)

Car-carrier M/V Nobleza, Monrovia-flagged, was caught by strong wind and pushed against pilings in the Kiel Canal with its port side while passing from Brunsbuettel to Kiel-Holtenau on Aug. 5. The vessel lated resumed its voyage with minor dents. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. Aug. 9 2007)

Here is an oldie but goodie... 2003 video of a LPG Ship riding out a storm.




Weather Story

Chicagoland! More rain! Try these totals from yesterday.

8/24/07, 8:55 AM

STATEMENT: Rainfall totals...and what totals they are...
From 7 AM Thursday, 8/23 through 7 AM Friday, 8/24.

MAXIMUM/MINIMUM TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION TABLE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
836 AM CDT FRI AUG 24 2007

TEMPERATURES AND 24 HOUR PRECIPITATION ENDING AT INDICATED TIME
THIS MORNING. LOCATIONS GROUPED BY CLIMATIC DIVISION.
DATA PROVIDED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS.

LOCATION                           HIGH  LOW  PCPN
NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...
ANTI2:  ANTIOCH         : DD240800/ 85 / 70 / 0.08
CBGI2:  BOTANIC GARDENS : DD240800/ 90 / 69 / 1.94
MDWI2:  MIDWAY 3SW      : DD240700/ 90 / 69 / 2.44
DEKI2:  DE KALB         : DD240700/ 87 / 68 / 4.85
ELBI2:  ELBURN          : DD240600/    /    / 2.65
ELGI2:  ELGIN           : DD240700/ 86 / 69 / 2.80
ERVI2:  EARLVILLE 3S    : DD240600/    /    / 3.26                   
GEOI2:  GENOA           : DD240700/    /    / 2.62
GLEI2:  GLEN ELLYN      : DD240700/    /    / 1.60
HVDI2:  HARVARD         : DD240700/    /    / 0.13
JOLI2:  JOLIET LOCK/DAM : DD240600/ 87 / 68 / 3.86
LNNI2:  LA GRANGE       : DD240600/    /    / 2.57
WHTI2:  LISLE MORTON ARB: DD240700/ 88 / 68 / 1.81
MANI2:  MANHATTAN       : DD240700/    /    / 4.12
MHYI2:  MCHENRY         : DD240800/ 85 / 69 / 0.23
MOSI2:  MORRIS          : DD240800/ 91 / 69 / 4.94
MUNI2:  MUNDELEIN       : DD240700/ 85 / 69 / 0.47
NWKI2:  NEWARK          : DD240600/    /    / 4.66
PEOI2:  PEOTONE         : DD240700/    /    / 5.54
PNOI2:  PLANO           : DD240700/    /    / 2.72
SGVI2:  SPRING GROVE 2N : DD240700/    /    / 0.08
SNWI2:  STREAMWOOD      : DD240700/    /    / 2.72
SCKI2:  ST CHARLES 7NW  : DD240700/    /    / 4.03
WLWI2:  WILLOW SPRINGS  : DD240700/    /    / 2.12
WODI2:  WOODSTOCK 5NW   : DD240500/    /    / 0.11
YOKI2:  YORKVILLE 2SE   : DD240700/    /    / 3.12

LOCATION                           HIGH  LOW  PCPN
NORTHWEST ILLINOIS...
DXNI2:  DIXON           : DD240800/    /    / 1.76                   
OREI2:  OREGON          : DD240800/    /    / 0.83
PAWI2:  PAW PAW         : DD240700/ 71 / 68 / 1.94
RCHI2:  ROCHELLE        : DD240600/ 84 / 69 / 2.32
RSCI2:  ROSCOE 2SE      : DD240630/    /    / 0.21
STWI2:  STEWARD         : DD240700/    /    / 2.79

LOCATION                           HIGH  LOW  PCPN
EASTERN ILLINOIS...
BOUI2:  BOURBONNAIS     : DD240700/    /    / 2.15
CHTI2:  CHATSWORTH      : DD240700/    /    / 0.95
CWWI2:  DWIGHT          : DD240700/    /    / 2.40
FRBI2:  FAIRBURY        : DD240700/    /    / 0.43
KKEI2:  KANKAKEE        : DD240700/ 89 / 69 / 2.18
MFDI2:  MILFORD         : DD240800/    /    / 0.04
PIPI2:  PIPER CITY      : DD240800/    /    / 1.31
WATI2:  WATSEKA         : DD240700/ 90 / 68 / 0.08

OTHER ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS
LOCATION                                      PCPN
BATI2:  BATAVIA         : DD240600/    /    / 3.16
BURI2:  BURR RIDGE      : DD240700/    /    / 5.64
CNHI2:  CHANNAHON       : DD240700/    /    / 5.24
CTYI2:  COAL CITY 4NNW  : DD240600/    /    / 5.01
HEBI2:  HEBRON          : DD240700/    /    / 0.07
HRSI2:  HERSCHER        : DD240700/    /    / 1.27
PMJI2:  JOLIET          : DD240700/    /    / 3.00
JLEI2:  JOLIET          : DD240700/    /    / 3.35
JKJI2:  JOLIET 2N       : DD240700/    /    / 3.43
LNDI2:  LINDENHURST     : DD240700/    /    / 0.18
ROFI2:  ROCKFORD 4NW    : DD240700/    /    / 0.21
SCHI2:  ST CHARLES      : DD240800/    /    / 3.06
SHWI2:  SHOREWOOD       : DD240800/    /    / 3.56
WCNI2:  WAUCONDA        : DD240700/    /    / 0.35
WJWI2:  WESTMONT        : DD240700/    /    / 2.26
WSKI2:  WOODSTOCK       : DD240700/    /    / 0.18

:ID    LOCATION            HIGH   LOW    PCPN
ORD  : CHICAGO-O'HARE     :  87  /  69  /  2.15
MDW  : CHICAGO-MIDWAY     :  89  /  69  /  2.06
LOT  : NWS ROMEOVILLE     :  87  /  67  /  2.33
RFD  : ROCKFORD           :  85  /  70  /  0.73
DPA  : WEST CHICAGO       :  87  /  69  /  2.26
UGN  : WAUKEGAN           :  86  /  70  /  0.10
ARR  : AURORA AIRPORT     :   M  /   M  /     M
PWK  : WHEELING           :  88  /  70  /  1.75
MLI  : MOLINE             :  86  /  68  /  1.51
BMI  : BLOOMINGTON        :  93  /  69  /  0.08
CMI  : CHAMPAIGN          :  93  /  69  /  0.00
DEC  : DECATUR            :  98  /  77  /  0.00
LWV  : LAWRENCEVILLE      : 102  /  71  /  0.00
ILX  : NWS LINCOLN        :  94  /  69  /  0.00                      
MTO  : MATTOON            :  97  /  79  /  0.00                      
PIA  : PEORIA             :  93  /  71  /  0.24                      
SPI  : SPRINGFIELD        :  94  /  71  /  0.00                      
CPS  : CAHOKIA            :  99  /  79  /  0.00                      
UIN  : QUINCY             :  95  /  68  /  0.05                      
MDH  : CARBONDALE         :  98  /  72  /  0.00    

RS