No, Current Lab’s ocean forecasts are the result of computer physics models, not direct satellite measurements.

Satellite data plays a role in ocean modeling but there are several key limitations to using satellite data on its own:

1. Satellites (like all observational data sources) can only measure the past, not the future.

2. The flyover frequency is quite low, so you only get occasional snapshots. Current Lab’s ocean data is valuable for navigation because it is available at hourly timesteps to capture changes throughout the tidal cycle.

3. There is no presently-available way to measure high-resolution currents with satellites. Satellite altimeters can detect large-scale open ocean currents like the Gulf Stream but this approach does not work for tidal- and wind-driven currents.

Model validation is the process of comparing the model predictions against real-world measurements. The specific data we use for this varies depending on what’s available for the given region. In general, we rely on public data from government agencies like NOAA but, rarely, we can also collect custom measurements.

If there are no active data stations in a region, we will turn to historical datasets in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. We will then run a “hindcast” simulation to see how accurate the model would have been during that time period.

Example data sources:

1. Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP): Typically sitting on the seafloor looking upwards. Use sound pulses to measure the speed and direction of the currents at multiple depths throughout the water column.

2. High Frequency (HF) Radar: Positioned on land near the coast. Scans a region of the coastal ocean and calculates the surface currents.

3. Drifters: Also called “Lagrangian drifters”, any of a range of devices that float and drift with the currents, using changes in GPS position to infer velocity.

Maybe! Feel free to reach out with your suggestions. There is a list of a regions we would like to add, and will prioritize the most popular ones.

Some areas simply aren’t a good fit for this technology though. Generally, areas with strong tidal currents will yield the highest accuracy.

The files will be emailed to you on the dates specified on the item’s page. They are not available for immediate download because Current Lab’s ocean models are run each day in order to account for the latest wind conditions and other environmental factors.

If it’s the expected delivery date and you still haven’t received a file, please check your email’s Spam folder. If it’s not in there, please contact info@current-lab.com.