HFRNet Delivering Surface Current Information & Diagnostics
Release Date: 20 August 2008

Central to the operational success of a large scale network of surface current mapping radars is a scalable data management, storage, access, and delivery system. The publicly-funded HF Radar Network (HFRNet) is characterized by a tiered structure that extends from individual field installations to regional operations maintaining multiple sites and on to aggregation sites obtaining data from all regions. Technical details are provided by Terrill et al. (pdf download).

HFRNet collects data from sites located on the east and west coasts of North America and provides resulting information free-of-charge via the Internet. Although still developing, in addition to synoptic surface current information it provides important diagnostic information to HF radar site operators and end users.

Future developments will improve on quality control while integrating near-real time data feeds with end user applications such as search and rescue, ocean circulation, public health, water quality warning, aids to navigation and oil spill response. With time, HFRNet will build a deep archive of surface current maps which may be used for research and long term ecological applications such as fisheries management.

Information and text provided by Mark Otero, Scripps Instiutute of Oceanography