Air Temperature
Temperature is how hot or cold something is as measured on a definite scale—in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius. CBIBS buoys report air temperature as a six-minute average.
Air Pressure
Air pressure, also knowns as atmospheric or barometric pressure, is essentially the weight of Earth's atmosphere at a given point. CBIBS buoys report air pressure as a six-minute average in inches mercury (inHg) and millibars (mb). Generally, high pressure supports sunny, clear weather, while lower pressure promotes rainy and cloudy weather conditions.
Current Direction
CBIBS reports the direction the current in the top five meters of water is going toward. For example, a current direction reading of 90° indicates that the current is running toward the east. This is reported as a six-minute average.
Current Speed
Current speed describes how fast the top five meters of water is moving past a certain point at a certain time. CBIBS tracks this as a six-minute average.
Latitude and Longitude
Latitude and longitude together describe the position of any place on Earth's surface. Latitude is a measurement of a location north or south of the Equator. Longitude is a measurement of location east or west of the Prime Meridan at Greenwich (an imaginary north-south line that passes through both geographic poles and Greenwich, London, England).
Salinity
Salinity is the concentration of salt in the water. CBIBS buoys report salinity in practical salinity units—PSUs. Salinity levels are a function of the mixing of ocean waters, which are roughly 35 PSU, with fresh water from the Bay's tributaries, which are close to 0 PSU. CBIBS reports the average salinity from the previous six minutes.
Sea Nettle Probability
The likelihood of encountering Chrysaora chesapeakei, which is the jellyfish most commonly seen in the Chesapeake. This is derived from a formula that uses water temperature and salinity.
Water Temperature
Temperature is how hot or cold something is as measured on a definite scale—in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius. CBIBS buoys report water temperature as a six-minute average.
Wave Direction
CBIBS reports the direction the waves are going toward. For example, a wave direction of 90° indicates that the waves are running from west to east. This is reported as an average from a ten-minute period.
Wave Height (Maximum)
Maximum wave height is the tallest wave—from crest to trough—measured by the buoys in a ten-minute period.
Wave Height (Significant)
Significant wave height is the average height—from crest to trough—of the highest portion of waves recorded in a given monitoring period at a buoy. It is reported by CBIBS buoys as an average from a ten-minute period.
Wave Period
Wave period is the time that passes between two successive wave crests that move past a buoy. It is reported by CBIBS buoys as an average from a ten-minute period.
Wind Chill
Wind chill is the sensation of cold produced by the wind on exposed skin. It is developed based on a formula that includes air temperature and wind speed that applies when temperatures are below 50°F.
Wind Direction
Wind direction is the compass direction the wind comes from. For example, a wind direction reading of 90° indicates that the wind is coming from the east. CBIBS buoys report wind direction as an average over the previous six minutes.
Wind Gust
Wind gust describes the fastest wind speed recorded. At CBIBS buoys, this is the highest wind speed recorded during the previous six-minute period.
Wind Speed
Wind speed describes how fast the air is moving past a certain point at a certain time. CBIBS tracks this as a running average over the previous six minutes. Wind speed affects sea state (calm or wavy) as well as the mixing of water in the Bay.