New Mapping Web Site Plots Pacific Weather — Yields Data

New mapping web site plots Pacific weather, marine data for researchers and the public

A new interactive web portal, dubbed Voyager, brings together information such as weather forecasts, surface currents, and tide readings, both current and historical, on one map for boaters, researchers, and the public.

Users can also plot this information on NOAA nautical charts on-screen. Originally an experimental tool focused on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Voyager, on the web at http://pacioos.org/voyager, is expanding to include U.S. Pacific commonwealths, territories, freely associated states, and the U.S. minor outlying islands in the Pacific Ocean. The web site was developed by the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS), a regional member of the NOAA-led U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS).

The free web site allows users without the need for special or proprietary software, to view, combine, download, and explore thousands of different data sets covering the U.S. Pacific Islands from Hawaii to the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean.

“Voyager lets both professionals and the general public create maps using ocean and coastal data in a way that’s comfortable, understandable, and built upon a familiar Google product,” said Chris Ostrander, PacIOOS director. “Users can also save and share their custom maps, as well as share visualizations and notes, which is especially important for researchers.”

“In addition to aiding researchers and managers, this online tool will make life easier for people heading out on the water or to the coast,” said Zdenka Willis, IOOS director. “Voyager can help users know when conditions are safe, while aiding researchers working to unlock the mysteries of our ocean.”

Voyager was developed in response to requests from researchers, agency staff, and the general public.

IOOS is a NOAA-led federal, regional, and private-sector partnership working to enhance the ability to collect, deliver and use ocean information. IOOS delivers the data and information needed to increase understanding of our oceans and coasts, so that decision-makers can act to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the environment.  For more information about PacIOOS or IOOS, or to provide feedback about improving services, features, and data sources, please visit:  www.pacioos.org.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels at http://www.noaa.gov/socialmedia/.