— predict complex weather conditions such as fog and other coastal 

 and marine weather phenomena which result when air masses 

 move across land and ocean ; 

 — predict the state of the ocean's temperature gradients; 

 — predict the time and space variations of the oceanic and near- 

 shore currents. 

 In turn, these capabilities require : (1) development of instrumenta- 

 tion to measure the physical processes which take place at the interface 

 of ocean and atmosphere, and (2) the mounting of controlled and com- 

 prehensive observational programs in well-defined areas to study the 

 small-scale processes so that they can be related to the larger scale 

 atmospheric and oceanic phenomena. 



Oceanic Research 



Complementaiy to air-sea interaction studies, it will be necessary to 

 develop a further undei-standing of the dynamics of ocean current 

 systems themselves; i.e., the relation of the ocean current systems to 

 the physical state of the ocean, and the thermal and mechanical mech- 

 anisms and forces which drive the currents and cause their fluctuations 

 in time and space. A comprehensive program to achieve such under- 

 standing will require observational studies of ocean current systems 

 as well as the mathematical simulation of current systems. A proto- 

 type system for predicting environmental conditions concerned with 

 antisubmarine warfare and submarine activities is in operation in the 

 western part of the North Atlantic and a new dynamic prediction 

 model for the system is being tested. This prototype could be the 

 forerunner of an improved system with global coverage which will 

 also provide data valuable both to naval and nondefense marine 

 operations. 



Because of the global nature of the phenomena being studied, synop- 

 tic observations are necessary, with stations optimally distributed in 

 the oceans. A system of observation stations, including buoys, is 

 essential for the implementation of the "World Weather Watch," an 

 international effort recommended by the United Nations and in which 

 the United States is planning to participate. Comprehensive World 

 Weather Watch design studies are presently underway in the United 

 States and other countries of the world, under the aegis of the World 

 Meteorological Organization. 



First steps are being undertaken toward examining the role of a 

 variety of ocean data sensor vehicles in such an observation system. 

 A Government-wide buoy systems study — managed by the U.S. Coast 

 Guard — will include compilation and analysis of requirements of 

 all agencies and scientific institutions. Information on existing and 



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