Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) provides worldwide meteorological and oceanographic data and analysis for the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
and strategic allies of the United States. The center is based out of
Monterey
Monterey (; es, Monterrey; Ohlone: ) is a city located in Monterey County on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on the U.S. state of California's Central Coast. Founded on June 3, 1770, it functioned as the capital of Alta California under bo ...
,
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...
. FNMOC provides Global and Regional Weather Prediction Charts (WXMAP) and Global Ensemble Weather Prediction Charts (EFS). WxMAP depictions of NAVGEM predictions for side-by-side comparison with NCEP global NWS models (GFS) are also available. FNMOC provides Global and Regional Ocean Wave Prediction Charts (WW3), Global Ensemble Ocean Wave Prediction Charts (WW3 Ensemble), and Global Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Surface Anomaly Charts (NCODA). FNMOC provides links to satellite imagery of tropical cyclones (TCWEB) and current tropical storm forecast tracks.
FNMOC is composed of military and civilian personnel. The team consists of specialists in meteorology, oceanography, computer science, and Fleet operations. The team's efforts provide computerized weather and ocean prediction products, weather satellite imagery products, and related tactical decision aids and data, supporting virtually every combat platform and weapons system operated by the US Navy.
History
In 1958, the Navy Numerical Weather Problems (NANWEP) group was established in Suitland, Maryland. NANWEP was later moved to the
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is a public graduate school operated by the United States Navy and located in Monterey, California.
It offers master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 70 fields of study to the U.S. Armed Forces, DOD ci ...
(NPS) in 1959. Fleet Numerical Weather Facility was established in 1961. In 1974, Fleet Numerical Weather Facility moved from NPS to its standalone location in Monterey, California. In 1993, the operating title: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC), was adopted. In 2005, Fleet Numerical was realigned under Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC). In 2011, Fleet Numerical completed a new Computer Operations Center.
FNMOC is one of the US Department of Defense's (DOD) primary central production sites for worldwide computer-generated operational meteorological and oceanographic analysis and forecast products.
Organization
FNMOC is an echelon IV command aligned under the
Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command
The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (COMNAVMETOCCOM) or CNMOC, serves as the operational arm of the Naval Oceanography Program. Headquartered at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, CNMOC is an echelon three command reporting to ...
(COMNAVMETOCCOM) or CNMOC. FNMOC is co-located with
Naval Research Laboratory
The United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is the corporate research laboratory for the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. It was founded in 1923 and conducts basic scientific research, applied research, technological ...
(NRL)
Marine Meteorology Division. FNMOC maintains close ties with the nearby Naval Postgraduate School.
Numerical Weather Prediction
Central to FNMOC modeling capability is a global
numerical weather model called the
Navy Global Environmental Model
The Navy Global Environmental Model (NAVGEM) is a global numerical weather prediction computer simulation run by the United States Navy's Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center. This mathematical model is run four times a day and pr ...
(NAVGEM) and a global ocean prediction model called the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). FNMOC models a variety of global, regional, sub-regional areas and specialized ocean and atmospheric environments as the DOD's premier Numerical Weather Prediction Center.
External links
*
Naval Meteorology & Oceanography CommandFNMOC on the top500.org
References
{{Authority control
Buildings and structures in Monterey County, California
Monterey, California
Naval meteorology
United States Navy installations