Visibility and other weather and oceanographic conditions can change a lot from a bay’s mouth to a port within it. Forecasts for key points along shipping channels are valuable for safe and efficient marine transportation. The Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaboration Team enabled collaboration between NWS, NOS and Port of Mobile to expand the Marine Channels Forecast from Tampa Bay, Florida to Mobile Bay, Alabama - the second port in the country with this forecast. Mobile Bay began producing an experimental Marine Channels Forecast on December 6, 2021, in time for the 2021-2022 Fall-Winter fog season.
Mobile Bay Marine Channels Forecast Highlights:
- Stations in the forecast were produced in close collaboration with the Port of Mobile.
- It includes information on current, winds, salinity, visibility, probability of precipitation, water levels, and waves.
- The forecasts are provided by NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Mobile Bay Area Weather Forecast Office and by the National Ocean Service (NOS) Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) Northern Gulf of Mexico Operational Forecast System (NGOFS2)'s Mobile Bay subdomain. The water level observation data is from the NOS/CO-OPS Mobile Bay PORTS®.
- Of particular note is a probability of visibility (<1 nautical mile) reduction due to fog that is updated at least 4 times a day. Visibility of less than one nautical mile is especially important for mariners.
Visit the Marine Channels Forecasts: