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Research and monitoring links

Reference Desk

A practical directory of public weather, ocean, reef, marine science and diving resources. Use these links to find observations, maps, databases and background information from specialist organizations.

Safety note: This directory is informational. For an active storm, tsunami or marine emergency, follow current instructions from the responsible public authority.
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References are grouped by purpose so readers can move quickly from current conditions to ocean observations and research tools.

Conditions and hazards

Tropical weather

Official and specialist sources for cyclone outlooks, radar, storm tracks and historical observations.

Global and regional forecasting

World Meteorological Organization

Global severe-weather information and links to national authorities.

Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Tropical cyclone outlooks, warnings and tracking information for Australia.

Canadian Hurricane Centre

Official Canadian tropical cyclone forecasts and track information.

Fiji Meteorological Service

Regional cyclone information for the South-West Pacific.

India Meteorological Department

Official observations, forecasts and cyclone bulletins for India.

Japan Meteorological Agency

Tropical cyclone analysis and regional weather information.

Météo-France La Réunion

Cyclone monitoring for the south-west Indian Ocean.

New Zealand MetService

National forecasts, warnings and marine weather services.

National Hurricane Center

Official Atlantic and eastern Pacific tropical cyclone guidance.

Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook

Current areas of potential tropical cyclone development.

Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook

Development outlook for the eastern North Pacific.

NASA tropical cyclones

Satellite imagery, research and educational storm material.

Weather Underground tropical weather

Worldwide storm maps and compiled tropical weather information.

Forecast models, field reports and archives

Hurricane model plots

Model track displays from the South Florida Water Management District.

Tropical cyclone genesis tools

Experimental model products and development guidance.

HurricaneTrack

Storm commentary and field reporting.

Hurricane Hunters

Background on airborne weather reconnaissance.

Historical hurricane tracks

Searchable records of tropical cyclone paths and intensity data.

Extreme Weather

A snapshot of notable recent weather observations around the world.

Measurements

Ocean observations

Satellite and buoy products for sea temperatures, reef heat stress, surface height, ocean color, ice and tsunami monitoring.

Sea-surface temperature

Global sea-surface temperatures

Current satellite-derived temperature contours.

Global temperature anomalies

Departures from typical sea-surface temperatures.

Coral heat stress

Coral bleaching hotspots

Areas where temperatures exceed the local monthly maximum.

Global 5 km reef monitoring

Near-real-time satellite products showing coral heat stress.

Degree Heating Week charts

Cumulative thermal stress experienced by coral reefs.

Other ocean indicators

Sea-surface height anomaly

Satellite-observed height compared with a mean sea surface.

Ocean color products

Chlorophyll, algal bloom and ocean-color observations.

Sea-ice extent archive

Long-term context for changes in polar sea ice.

Worldwide tsunami buoy stations

Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami observations.

Science directories

Marine research

Institutions, species databases and public-facing resources for investigating ocean life and habitats.

Research institutions and programs

Species and habitat databases

AlgaeBase

Taxonomic and distribution information for algae.

CephBase

Information about octopuses, squid, cuttlefish and nautiluses.

FishBase

A global information system covering fish species.

ReefBase

Information and mapping resources for coral reefs.

Directory method

How we maintain the desk

Underwater Times organizes useful starting points but does not control or endorse the content of external websites.

Group

Resources are arranged around weather, ocean observations, habitats and research tasks.

Describe

Each short note explains the practical purpose of the linked resource.

Prioritize

Official monitoring services and established research organizations are emphasized.

Review

Readers can report a broken or misleading reference through the feedback page.

Using this page

Reference desk FAQ

Does this page provide emergency warnings?

No. Always use the responsible national or local authority for current warnings, evacuation instructions and safety decisions.

Are all external resources free to use?

Many are public resources, but access and reuse terms are set by each external publisher. Check its terms before downloading or republishing material.

How should I interpret experimental forecast models?

A single model run is not an official forecast. Compare it with guidance from the relevant meteorological authority and consider uncertainty.

Why might an external link look different from its description?

External organizations can move, rename or retire pages without notice. The directory describes the intended resource rather than guaranteeing continued availability.

How can I report a broken link?

Use the feedback page and identify the resource and destination that needs review.

Where can I find aquatic news instead?

Open the newswire for recent briefs or use the sitemap to browse subject desks.