Realtime Data and Formats: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

The Bureau of Meteorology provides the Australian and international maritime communities with weather forecasts, warnings and observations for coastal waters areas and high seas around Australia. Generally most of these services are provided routinely throughout the day, while marine weather warnings may be issued at any time when the need becomes apparent. Because of the complex nature of the sea, the Bureau of Meteorology uses advanced computer models to predict the physical characteristics of the ocean. These computer forecasts are used by meteorologists in the preparation of marine forecasts and warnings. The forecasts include wind, weather, sea and swell and are intended to describe the average conditions over specified areas. Marine forecasts have been enhanced by the inclusion of ocean currents and sea-surface temperature forecasts through the BLUElink ocean forecasting initiative.BOM Realtime Data and Formats provides links to datasets, charts or maps that give a snapshot of the weather situation in Australia at the base observation time (valid time). It includes data on satellite imagery, sea surface winds, marine boundary layer winds, SST, and wave height around Australia and globally.