CBOFS

GBOFS

LEOFS

LHOFS

LMOFS

LOOFS

LSOFS

NYOFS

SJROFS

Operational Forecast System

Nowcasts and forecasts are scientific predictions about the present and future states of water levels (and possibly currents and other relevant oceanographic variables, such as salinity and temperature) in a coastal area. These predictions rely on either observed data or forecasts from a numerical model. A nowcast incorporates recent (and often near real-time) observed meteorological, oceanographic, and/or river flow rate data. A nowcast covers the period of time from the recent past (e.g., the past few days) to the present, and it can make predictions for locations where observational data are not available. A forecast incorporates meteorological, oceanographic, and/or river flow rate forecasts and makes predictions for times where observational data will not be available. A forecast is usually initiated by the results of a nowcast.

NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) created the Chesapeake Bay Operational Forecast System (CBOFS) to provide the maritime community with improved short-term predictions of water levels in the Chesapeake Bay. Be advised that these predictions are based on a hydrodynamic model and, as such, should be considered as computer-generated forecast guidance.

NOS created the Galveston Bay Operational Forecast System (GBOFS) to provide the maritime community with improved short-term predictions of water levels and currents in Galveston Bay. Be advised that these predictions are based on a hydrodynamic model and, as such, should be considered as computer-generated forecast guidance.

NOS created the Lake Erie Operational Forecast System (LEOFS) to provide the maritime community with improved short-term predictions of water levels and currents in the Lake Erie. Be advised that these predictions are based on a hydrodynamic model and, as such, should be considered as computer-generated forecast guidance. More information about the Great Lakes OFS, go to the GLOFS web page.

NOS created the Lake Huron Operational Forecast System (LHOFS) to provide the maritime community with improved short-term predictions of water levels and currents in the Lake Huron. Be advised that these predictions are based on a hydrodynamic model and, as such, should be considered as computer-generated forecast guidance. More information about the Great Lakes OFS, go to the GLOFS web page.

NOS created the Lake Michigan Operational Forecast System (LMOFS) to provide the maritime community with improved short-term predictions of water levels and currents in the Lake Michigan. Be advised that these predictions are based on a hydrodynamic model and, as such, should be considered as computer-generated forecast guidance. More information about the Great Lakes OFS, go to the GLOFS web page.

NOS created the Lake Ontario Operational Forecast System (LOOFS) to provide the maritime community with improved short-term predictions of water levels and currents in the Lake Ontario. Be advised that these predictions are based on a hydrodynamic model and, as such, should be considered as computer-generated forecast guidance. More information about the Great Lakes OFS, go to the GLOFS web page.

NOS created the Lake Superior Operational Forecast System (LSOFS) to provide the maritime community with improved short-term predictions of water levels and currents in the Lake Superior. Be advised that these predictions are based on a hydrodynamic model and, as such, should be considered as computer-generated forecast guidance. More information about the Great Lakes OFS, go to the GLOFS web page.

NOS created the Port of New York and New Jersey Operational Forecast System (NYOFS) to provide the maritime community with improved short-term predictions of water levels and currents in the Port of New York and New Jersey. Be advised that these predictions are based on a hydrodynamic model and, as such, should be considered as computer-generated forecast guidance.

NOS created the St. John's River Operational Forecast System (SJROFS) to provide the maritime community with improved short-term predictions of water levels and currents in St. John's River. Be advised that these predictions are based on a hydrodynamic model and, as such, should be considered as computer-generated forecast guidance.