AFBI facilitates new real-time weather information for Belfast Lough

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) recently upgraded its meteorological and oceanographic packages in Belfast Lough, which have now been linked to a new public web page. This allows both commercial and leisure users access to data in real time, including wind speed and direction, water and air temperature and water depth.

This facility supports the EU INTERREG funded oil-spill modelling project in Belfast Lough in which AFBI is involved, by upgrading the data dissemination on a monitoring system funded by AFBI and the Department of Environment (DOE). The aim of the project is to develop an operational model to predict how a potential oil spill event would behave, allowing responses to be targeted to where it is likely to be needed most and the worst environmental effects to be mitigated. Similar technology is being applied at a number of monitoring stations in the seas around Northern Ireland to help us better understand and protect our marine and coastal environments.

Following the bad weather in January, gusts with wind speeds in excess of 90 mph were recorded on the new system. The information, can be accessed in real time, by visiting  www.triskelmarine.com/AFBIPub/

 

Notes to editors: 

AFBI carries out high-quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies.

AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland … serving the world”.

All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office

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