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Physical Oceanographic (Water Temperature and Conductivity) Data

Published by Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Catalog Last Checked: May 10, 2026 at 09:08 AM | Dataset Last Updated: January 01, 2025 at 12:00 AM
NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) is the authoritative source for accurate, reliable, and timely data on tides, water levels, currents, as well as other coastal oceanographic and meteorological information. The center maintains and operates the National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON), a national network of Physical Oceanographic Real-Time Systems (PORTS) in major U. S. harbors, and the National Current Observation Program consisting of current surveys in near shore and coastal areas utilizing bottom mounted platforms, subsurface buoys, horizontal sensors and quick response real time buoys. Among the collection are real-time and historic water temperature and conductivity observations across U.S. coastlines. These Physical Oceanographic data are crucial for safe navigation, as it impacts ocean density and circulation patterns, and for assessing the health of coastal flora and fauna, as many species are sensitive to rapid changes in temperature and salinity. The integration of continuously-recording water temperature thermistors into the NWLON and PORTS since the 1990s. The standard reporting time for collecting data are in 6-minute intervals.

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