Introduction:

The World Meteorological Organization Global Telecommunications System (WMO GTS) disseminates data in near-real-time to operational weather and ocean forecasting centers, and enables global distribution of real-time data.  U.S. IOOS is committed to ensuring that all relevant U.S. coastal ocean observations will be contributed in near real time to the global GTS network.

Requirements:

• All real-time stations must be assigned a WMO ID.
• All real-time observations must be submitted to the WMO GTS.

Standards, Formats and Protocols:

All platforms must be assigned a WMO ID for distribution through the GTS.  IOOS data providers can fulfill this requirement by requesting a WMO ID from NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center (NDBC).  Required information is:

• Platform type (moored buoy, drifting buoy, float, glider, etc.)
• owner
• latitude & longitude
• descriptive name of the location
• contact information.

IOOS Data Providers can also enter into an agreement with NDBC to post data onto the GTS in near real time. NDBC needs a list and frequency of measurements to set up the station at NDBC and release the data to the GTS.

U.S. IOOS® will provide specific guidance to IOOS data providers on data priorities.