Marine meteorology includes observing, analyzing, and modeling weather conditions in the marine environment to better understand the physics of weather systems (cyclones, fronts, etc.) and ocean-atmosphere interactions. COAPS is home to a Marine Data Center that specializes in data quality evaluation and providing services to the marine community via the World Meteorological Organization and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission's Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology. Ongoing research focuses on observations from ships- and satellite-based sensors, energy exchange at the air-sea interface, analyzing variability in marine weather over the past 120 years, and exploring potential for renewable energy from wind over the Gulf of Mexico

COAPS scientists developed the Shipboard Automated Meteorological and Oceanographic System (SAMOS) initative, consisting of a network of oceanographic research vessels collecting weather and thermosalinograph data. Each vessel transmits nearly one-million observations per month using ship to shore satellite email communications. SAMOS data are used to validate weather/ocean model output, evaluate and develop satellite products, and made available to the international research community.

Additionally, COAPS has experience instrumenting vessels and towers in the marine environment and conducts professional development in the area of marine meteorology for shipboard personnel. To learn more about COAPS' marine data activities and the SAMOS project, visit the Marine Data Center website.