Table 19. C-MAN locations in South Florida. 
Station name 
Fowey Rocks (east of Biscayne Bay) 
Molasses Reef (east of Elliot Key) 
Sombrero Key (Atlantic side of Reef Tract) 
Sand Key (south of Bahia Honda) 
Dry Tortugas 
Long Key (south of Cape Sable) 
1.8-m d buoy (south of Molasses Reef) 
Latitude 
Longitude 
Year deployed 
25.59° 
N 
80.10° 
W 
25.01° 
N 
80.36° 
W 
24.63° 
N 
81.11° 
W 
24.46° 
N 
81.86° 
W 
24.38° 
N 
82.52° 
W 
24.52° 
N 
80.51° 
W 
AQUARIUS site 
1993 ? 
an acoustic rain gauge), ocean surface waves, salinity (surface and 3 m), and solar radiation 
(surface and 3 m). Data is transmitted to shore hourly via the Global Operational Environmental 
Satellite (GOES), and every 15 min via telephone in C-MAN code (modified FM-12 format). The 
data are subjected to quality control in real time and prior to archival through algorithms (dual 
sensors, wind vs. wave energy, swell direction, analyses vs. observation), graphics (time 
series, spectral wave curves and contours, and regional weather maps), support service 
visits, and performance statistics. The data are stored at NOAA/NESDIS. The C-MAN sites in 
South Florida are listed in Table 19. The C-MAN installations at Molasses Reef and Sombrero 
Key are part of NOAA/NWS.* 
9.1.6.4.2. Precipitation 
Spatial precipitation measurements are available from the WSR-88D radar installed at 
and Tampa. These new radars interrogate the sky up to 125 mi from the radar site on an 
basis using newly developed algorithms that provide spatial rainfall measurements on a 
km grid.^ 
9.1.6.5. Oceans and Atmospheric Research 
9.1.6.5.1. Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory 
In collaboration with the University of Miami and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic 
Commission, the NOAA/Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)/Environmental 
Research Laboratories (ERL)/Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) is 
developing the capability to provide nowcasts and forecasts of ocean currents for Florida Bay 
and the Straits of Florida. In conjunction with the University of Miami and the United Nations 
Environment Programme, AOML analyzed the effect of temperature and sea level rise on the 
Caribbean ecosystem, including mangroves and coral reefs. In collaboration with the 
NMFS/SEFSC and the University of Miami through the SEFCAR program, AOML is using 
advanced optical and acoustic sampling technology to study fisheries recruitment and its 
control by physical processes adjacent to the Florida Keys. AOML has begun the design of a 
portable sensor package with satellite data relay, for deployment on remote coral reefs which 
will permit remote monitoring of reef condition in Biscayne National Park and the FKNMS. In 
collaboration with the NDBC and the Florida Institute of Oceanography, AOML collects from the 
GOES satellite the data from NOAA buoys and C-MAN stations in the Keys and posts it on a dial- 
Miami 
hourly 
4x4 
* For further information on C-MAN, contact Dave Gilhousen, NOAA/NDBC, Stennis Space Center, MS 601 688 2800. 
0 J. Vogel, NOAA/NWS, 1325 East West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD 20910. 301 713 1 669. 
69 
