NOAA will set out to service buoys in the Caribbean and Atlantic oceans.

Today, NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), a division of the National Weather service, will be starting the trek through the Caribbean and Atlantic oceans. The NDBC will be departing from the Port of Gulfport this morning and will service five weather buoys and a tsunami detection buoy over the next two weeks.

With hurricane season right around the corner, the information the buoys offer is vital in accurately forecasting and understanding the significance of a system.

Buoys offer critical measurements during hurricane season, but also during the off season. The buoys offer year-round data for forecasting, marine research and maritime safety.

This is just one of many missions that service the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The NDBC will also conduct missions in the Pacific Ocean to service additional weather buoys, DART (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis) buoys, and TAO (Tropical Atmosphere and Ocean) array.

Last year, the NDBC conducted 38 missions and serviced 197 stations. This year they are setting out to do the same.