Ocean Observing and Monitoring

Mission

Why we exist

To provide high-quality long term global observations, climate information, and products to researchers, forecasters, and other users to inform and prepare society for environmental challenges

Vision

What we hope to achieve

A sustained, comprehensive, and responsive global climate observing system that seamlessly delivers information and products to our partners and users within and beyond NOAA, and that provides a critical foundation for climate, weather, and environmental decision making

OOM's unique contribution

What we are uniquely positioned to do

OOM provides leadership for sustained global in situ ocean climate and Arctic observing systems and is the U.S. Federal Source for sustained climate observations and information in support of research, monitoring, and prediction

(Read more in the Strategic Plan).

Program activities aim to:

1. Build and sustain a global climate observing system according to climate monitoring principles
2. Develop and maintain long time-series indicators of climate variability and change
3. Develop and maintain standard data sets for initialization and evaluation of climate forecast models, assessments of climate change, and informed risk management
4. Develop informational products, diagnostics, and assessments of observed climate variability and change on global to regional scales

The resulting global observations and products contribute to other NOAA Programs, national and international capabilities aimed at understanding, modeling, and forecasting of the earth system, as well as developing targeted information to better inform society about changes of the earth system, including better response options.  Access to these global observations and analyses of observational data has provided our Nation with invaluable information needed to better minimize climate-related risk and maximize climate-related opportunities. The program also provides data and information management support for national and international climate assessments. The Ocean Observing and Monitoring Division supports and coordinates its observing efforts with other activities in NOAA, other federal agencies, as well as international partners.