Glossary - N |
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N National Data Buoy Center (NDBC)
NDBC designs, develops, operates, and maintains a network of data collecting buoys and coastal stations. Source: NOAA-NDBC
National Hurricane Center (NHC)
The NHC maintains a continuous watch on tropical cyclones over the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Eastern Pacific from 15 May through November 30. The Center prepares and distributes hurricane watches and warnings for the general public, and also prepares and distributes marine and military advisories for other users. During the off-season NHC provides training for U.S. emergency managers and representatives from many other countries that are affected by tropical cyclones. NHC also conducts applied research to evaluate and improve hurricane forecasting techniques, and is involved in public awareness programs. Source: NOAA-NWS SRH
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
A branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA is the parent organization of the National Weather Service. Source: NOAA-NWS ERH
National Water level Observation Network (NWLON)
The NWLON is a network of 175 long-term, continuously operating water-level stations throughout the USA, including its island possessions and territories and the Great Lakes. Source: NOAA-NWLON
National Weather Service (NWS)
The federal agency in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that is responsible for weather forecast and preparation of weather maps
nautical miles
A unit of distance used in marine navigation and marine forecasts. It is equal to 1.15 statue miles (1.85 kilometers). It is also the approximate length of 1 minute of latitude. Source: NOAA-NWS SRH
Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD)
NEXt Generation RADar. A National Weather Service network of about 140 Doppler radars operating nationwide. Source: NOAA-NWS ERH
North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)
A large-scale fluctuation in atmospheric pressure between the subtropical high pressure system located near the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean and the sub-polar low pressure system near Iceland and is quantified in the NAO Index. The surface pressure drives surface winds and wintertime storms from west to east across the North Atlantic affecting the climate from New England to western Europe as far eastward as central Siberia and the eastern Mediterranean, and southward to West Africa.
Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)
Forecasting the weather through digital computations carried out by supercomputers. Source: NOAA-NWS SRH
nutrient loading
The nutrient load refers to the total amount of nitrogen or phosphorus entering the water during a given time, such as tons of nitrogen per year. Nutrients may enter the water from runoff, groundwater, or the air. Source: State of Maryland
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