PhOD - Global Drifter Program

Real Time Drifter Graphs and Data

Real time drifter data and graphs are distributed on the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) for improved weather and climate f orecasting and ocean state estimation. On this page, we provide instructions on how to obtain these GTS data streams using NOAA's Observing System Monitoring Center (OSMC).

To make a graph or get data from a particular drifter, you will need its World Meteorological Organization (WMO) identification number, which is different from the ID used in our quality-controlled data base. If you do not know the WMO # of your desired buoy, please reference the WMO/ID conversion file.

Plot Drifter Trajectories

If targeting a specific drifter, use its WMO number to generate a plot from the OSMC web site. See written instructions here, or visit the AOML GDP ERDDAP Tutorial on

for more step-by-step instructions and additional information.

To plot and view recent drifter data (up to 15 days), use the WMO number and select the desired parameter from the MeteoFrance QC Tools dropdown menu.

You can also visualize drifter data, altimetry, sea surface temperatures, and other real time GTS data from the last 10 days at AOML's CoastWatch/OceanWatch web page. See Instructions.

Download Data

With a single click, you can download data from all drifters for the past 90 days from the OSMC ERDDAP server. The parameters have been pre-selected. These data are in comma-separated-value (CSV) format. See more information about this file.

To obtain data from all drifters in formats such as ASCII, NetCDF or Matlab, follow these written Data Request Instructions, or visit the AOML GDP ERDDAP Tutorial on

for more step-by-step instructions and additional information. Download data from the OSMC ERDDAP server.

For more advanced queries, like getting data in a desired format from a specific drifter or a batch of drifters spanning a particular time period and/or region, follow these Advanced Data Request Instructions and enter the parameters of interest at the OSMC ERDDAP server.