What is the NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Forecast System?
The HAB Forecast System develops predictions of the transport and potential development of harmful algae conditions that may impact the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The system focuses on the most common harmful algae in the Gulf of Mexico, which is the microscopic algal species Karenia brevis, commonly known as red tide. To create a forecast, analysts gather data from various ocean observing systems, including images from commercial and government satellites, meteorological data from buoy and land-based stations, and field data collected by state and university monitoring programs. The analysts then compile and interpret this information to determine the current and future location and intensity of a HAB, as well as the potential impacts on humans, marine mammals, and fish. This information is provided to natural resource managers in the HAB Bulletin. General information regarding bloom locations and expected impacts is available as a Conditions Report to the public on the HAB
