Surf reports deliver precious wave height, swell size and period, wind speed, and direction forecasts, but what is the original forecast source?
Usually, surf reports rely on national meteorological and hydro-meteorological services and information from strategic buoys placed in oceans and seas.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for the official voice on the state and behavior of the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and climate.
The WMO has a membership of 189 States and Territories and works with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC), as well as the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), providing relevant oceanographic data and observations for marine meteorology.
These institutions develop tsunami digital modeling software, data analysis, processes, flowcharts, and warning systems that are used, for example, in preventing disasters along the world's coastlines.
The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) develops ocean forecast models that deliver critical data for major climactic patterns, such as the El Niño and La Niña phenomenons.
The Marine Meteorology and Oceanography Programme (MMOP) spreads marine weather information broadcast via Inmarsat-C SafetyNET and through the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.
When significant maritime changes are produced, all National Meteorological Services are informed, followed by the local population. Today, data provided by the hundreds of buoys placed in the oceans and seas is open to everyone.
This means it is possible to set up a simple surf report on your own. The further you tune your own algorithm, the better the surf report you will deliver.
There are many good surf report websites and services. Some of them are developed for commercial purposes; some are absolutely free. In the last chapter, we will talk about some of the best surf reports and the best wind and wave forecasts in the world.
Chapter #1 - The Surf Report Is An Accurate Maritime Forecast Tool
Chapter #2 - Ocean Buoys And Forecast Data For The Surf Reports