Return to GBOFS

Return to Operational Forecast System

Galveston Bay Operational Forecast System (GBOFS)

Galveston Bay includes the seaports of Houston, Galveston and Texas City, which collectively comprise the second-largest port in North America, handling more than 241 million tons of cargo annually.

In addition to GBOFS, NOAA's National Ocean Service also developed and maintains the Chesapeake Bay Operational Forecast System (CBOFS) and the New York Operational Forecast System (NYOFS). Systems for other U.S. water bodies are forthcoming. Port authorities, vessel pilots, shipping companies, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, recreational boaters, fishermen, coastal managers, environmental organizations, academics and surfers all use this information.

The system was developed by NOS's Coast Survey Development Laboratory (CSDL) and is operated by the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS).

CO-OPS collects, analyzes and distributes historical and real-time observations and predictions of water levels, coastal currents and other meteorological and oceanographic data. The center manages the National Operational Coastal Modeling Program, the National Water Level Program, the national network of PORTS^® in major U.S. harbors, and the National Current Program.

CSDL develops and improves oceanographic, cartographic and hydrographic systems to provide products and services for the coastal marine community. Oceanographic efforts focus on the development of techniques and methods for the analysis, simulation and accurate real-time prediction of oceanographic, atmospheric and water quality parameters. Projects include estuarine and port modeling and forecasting, coastal modeling and forecasting, and operational data resources.

NOAA's National Ocean Service, which includes CO-OPS and CSDL, balances environmental protection with economic prosperity in fulfilling its mission of promoting safe navigation, supporting coastal communities, sustaining coastal habitats and mitigating coastal hazards.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources.