Regional networks include the TOGA TAO array, operated by NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, that provides upper ocean and surface meteorological data in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
Spatial coverage provided by the individual networks is provided on attached figures.
The average number of observations provided by these systems per month is also summarized on an attached figure. The data provided by these networks are used by NOAA's weather and climate forecast groups. Thus, the GOOS Center will direct it's efforts at the real-time, in situ, upper ocean and surface meteorological data needed by the NOAA forecasters. The Center activities will require that the operators of the individual networks continue to collect, quality control and disseminate their data. Breaks in the pipeline will be identified and corrected.