Ocean buoys collect data over many years – changes in the atmosphere and ocean over many years provide clues to climate variability.

We need to look at the ANOMALIES to identify variability.

Anomaly: Difference from normal (or difference from the average conditions)

Climate of Change – Unit 2: Deciphering Climate Variability

NOAA Image

The TAO/TRITON buoys are in an area of the Pacific where there are few islands or ships to collect weather data. Japan maintains 15 of the buoys (labeled TRITON below). The other 55 are maintained by the United States, through the National Data Buoy Center, which is a division of NOAA.

Climate of Change – Unit 2: Deciphering Climate Variability

NOAA Image

Instruments on the TAO/TRITON buoys measure sea-surface temperature, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, air temperature, and subsurface temperatures in the upper 500 meters of the ocean.

The buoys are moored in place with an anchor.

Climate of Change – Unit 2: Deciphering Climate Variability

NOAA Image

Six to eight times a year, scientists and technicians go out on the NOAA ship Ka’imimoana to repair and replace buoys along different sections of the array.

Climate of Change – Unit 2: Deciphering Climate Variability

NOAA Image

(Averages)

Arrows depict wind strength and direction (longer arrow = stronger wind)

TAO/TRITON Monthly Sea Surface Temp (SST) in °C and Winds (m/s2)

Long arrows indicate wind is stronger than average (and in same direction)

Short arrows indicate wind is similar to the long-term average

Climate of Change – Unit 2: Deciphering Climate Variability