Water Level Data 
Collection 
42, The water level information was obtained from a NOS tide gage which 
produced a digital paper tape of instantaneous water levels sampled continu- 
ously at 6-min intervals. At the end of each month, the paper tape was re- 
moved from the recorder and mailed to NOS in Rockville, Md. for analysis. 
Analysis 
43. The digital paper tape records of tide heights taken every 6 min 
were analyzed by the Tides Analysis Branch of NOS. A Mitron interpreter cre- 
ated a digital magnetic computer tape from the punch paper tape, which was 
then processed on a Univac 732 computer. First, a listing of the instantan- 
eous tidal height values was created for visual inspection. If errors were 
encountered, a computer program was used to fill in or recreate bad or missing 
data using correct values from the nearest NOS tide station and to account for 
known time lags and elevation anomalies. The data were plotted, and a new 
listing was generated and rechecked. When the validity of the data had been 
confirmed, monthly tabulations of daily highs and lows, hourly heights (in- 
stantaneous height selected on the hour), and various extreme and/or mean 
water level statistics were computed. The monthly or annual mean sea level 
(MSL) reported is the average of the hourly heights, while the mean tide level 
(MTL) is midway between mean high water (MHW) and mean low water (MLW). 
Meteorological Data 
44, Each instrument used for monitoring the meteorological conditions 
at the FRF was read and inspected daily. For those instruments with analog 
chart recording capabilities, (a) the pen was zeroed (where applicable); 
(b) the chart time was checked and corrected; and (c) a daily reading was 
marked on the chart for reference, if necessary; (d) the starting and ending 
chart times were recorded, as necessary; and (e) new charts were installed 
when needed. Samples of the chart records for the microbarograph (atmospheric 
pressure in millibars) and rain gage (in inches) are shown in Figure 4. 
45. High and low temperature values, read daily directly from the 
instruments, represent the extreme temperature values since the last reading. 
46. Atmospheric pressure values measured by the electronic instrument 
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