NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System

Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System (HAB-OFS)

HAB

HAB Banner - Red Tide
NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System (HAB-OFS)
- Assisting HAB Mitigation through Early Detection and Forecasting -

Public Conditions Reports by Region (including Impact Forecasts): Southwest Florida Northwest Florida East Florida Texas	View Frequently Asked Questions about the Conditions Reports.	Contact Us
HAB Bulletins (for Coastal Resource Managers): About the Bulletins Archived Bulletins	Still have questions or concerns about the health impacts of red tide? Call your local Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222, a 24/7 hotline staffed by medical professionals.
Other Gulf of Mexico HAB Status Info here

Operational Conditions Reports
Southwest Florida Monday, February 11, 2013 Very low to high concentrations of Karenia brevis (commonly known as Florida Red Tide) are present along- and offshore southwest Florida. In northern Sarasota County, patchy low respiratory impacts are possible today through Wednesday, with patchy very low respiratory impacts possible Thursday. Alongshore southern Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties, patchy high respiratory impacts are possible today through Wednesday, with patchy low respiratory impacts possible Thursday. In the bay regions of southern Charlotte and northern and central Lee counties, patchy high respiratory impacts are possible today through Thursday. Alongshore northern Collier County, patchy very low respiratory impacts are possible today and Tuesday, patchy high respiratory impacts are possible Wednesday, and patchy low respiratory impacts are possible Thursday. Alongshore and in the bay regions of central Collier County, patchy moderate respiratory impacts are possible today, Tuesday and Thursday, with patchy high respiratory impact possible Wednesday. Alongshore northern Monroe County, patchy low respiratory impacts are possible today through Thursday. No respiratory impacts are expected elsewhere alongshore southwest Florida, including the Florida Keys, today through Thursday, February 14. Over the past few days, reports of respiratory irritation were received from Sarasota and Lee counties. Reports of dead fish were also received from Lee County.
Northwest Florida Thursday, February 14, 2013 There are currently no reports of harmful algae in this region. No impacts are expected. Last report: Tuesday, March 01, 2011
East Florida Thursday, February 14, 2013 There are currently no reports of harmful algae in this region. No impacts are expected. Last report: Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Texas Monday, February 11, 2013 There is currently no indication of a harmful algal bloom of Karenia brevis (commonly known as Texas red tide) at the coast in Texas. No respiratory impacts are expected alongshore Texas today through Tuesday, February 19. For information on area shellfish restrictions, contact the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Overview

Advance warning of harmful algal blooms (HABs) (commonly called "red tide") increases the options for managing impacts resulting from these events. NOAA's Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System (HAB-OFS) provides information on the location, extent, and the potential for development or movement of harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico.

Southern FL Map with colors of HAB/red tide The forecast system relies on satellite imagery, field observations, models, public health reports and buoy data to provide the large spatial scale and high frequency of observations required to assess and predict bloom conditions, location and movements. HAB conditions reports, including potential impacts for the next 3-4 days, are posted to this Web page twice a week after confirmation of a HAB, and once weekly during the inactive HAB season. Additional bloom analysis is included in the HAB Bulletin that is provided to state and local coastal resource managers in the region. How do I get the NOAA HAB Bulletin?

The Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System is an ongoing project that depends on the dedication, energy, and feedback of individuals from partner agencies and numerous other organizations working on this issue in the Gulf of Mexico.

HAB Bulletin

The HAB Bulletin alerts subscribers to developing blooms and changes in the location and extent of existing blooms.

Thumbnail graphic of an example HAB/red tide bulletin Operational HAB Bulletins are sent twice a week via e-mail to registered users with natural resource management responsibilities. A week after the HAB bulletin has been issued, it is posted to the Harmful Algal Bloom Bulletin Archive for public access. NOAA demonstration bulletins are pre-operational and may not be issued on a routine schedule. (Please visit the Developmental HAB Forecast Project web page for more information about developmental HAB projects.) If you have management responsibility and would like to be added to the mailing list, contact NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System.

The HAB Bulletin Guide document is provided for the registered users to understand and interpret the HAB Bulletin. It is in the PDF format and available for downloading.

(The Adobe Reader is required for viewing the PDF document.)

Other Gulf of Mexico HAB Status Info

Click to go to the NOAA HABs Observing System

Click to go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Red Tide Current Status and Map

Click to go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Red Tide Current Status

(Photo Credit NOAA, WHOI, FWC FWRI, Charlotte (FL) Sun Herald)