OOI Supports Scientific Collaboration at UCAR Annual Meeting

By Amber Stronk | October 17, 2024 |

The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) participated in the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) meeting held on October 8-9, 2024 in Boulder, CO. This annual gathering serves as an important platform for collaboration among leading atmospheric and oceanographic research institutions.

At the meeting, OOI Principal Investigator and Senior Scientist Jim Edson discussed with attendees the latest advancements in ocean data collection, spotlighting the role of OOI’s data in critical climate research. He was given the opportunity to describe the OOI and some of the enabled science to a several labs at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). These included presentations to members of NCAR’s Climate & Global Dynamics Lab (Ocean Section); Earth Observing Lab; Mesoscale & Microscale Meteorology; Atmospheric Chemistry Observations & Modeling Lab. Jim highlighted efforts to deploy advanced sensors in previously under-sampled areas, such as the Irminger Sea and Gulf of Alaska, addressing major data gaps in these regions. These efforts are essential for gaining a deeper understanding of ocean-atmosphere interactions.

We expect to follow up these meetings with NCAR at the AGU and/or AMS meetings in December and January, respectively. OOI’s partnership with UCAR highlights a shared commitment to integrated climate monitoring. By providing high-quality, real-time ocean data, OOI enables scientists to improve climate models, enhance forecasting precision, and support policy decisions aimed at environmental sustainability.