Watch it live: Government oil spill tracking site produced in Seattle

Source: seattle pi.com

In a few days, the federal government is expected to launch a real-time website that will let the public see much of what the Coast Guard sees when tracking the Gulf oil spill: Oil trajectories, loop currents, wind conditions, and the well-being of birds and fish.

The site will likely be viewed worldwide, but much of the data is collected and crunched by scientists in Seattle's backyard. It's here, in the Sand Point "war room" of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric and Administration's Emergency Response Division, that the nation's leading science advisers on the spill are headquartered.

"We have some of the best scientific research and projection going on right here in our region," said Sen. Patty Murray during a visit Tuesday to the federal office.

"They've been working 24-7 right for 43 days now. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude and I don't think there's any end in sight."

Read more: http://www2.seattlepi.com/articles/420993.html

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It's already started and running.

It's called ERMA. Right frame has view choice options.

http://www.geoplatform.gov/erma.html#x=-90.42000&y=28.03000&z=6&layers=

Bookmarking.

Hint - open the little plusses on the right to checkmark what you want to view.

Checked several boxes on the offshore trajecotory to show all at once, and after clicking them off, had remnants of the graphics still on the map.

In looking at the trajectories, it does not bode well.

If *anything* good could come of this, aiding Cuba (and lifting the embargo) would be the one "bright spot". I know I would go and support their tourism industry as soon as feasible.

for transparency!

:kick:

you look really close. Sometimes at 4am or so, a little boat with a light on the mast would come floating up to their dock - they were out working! Yay NOAA!

I have a great view of a freeway sound wall, but one of these years....

Edit to remove the explanation of Lake Washington and Cascades - I didn't realize you're in Seattle and know very well what you're looking at.

And to be perfectly honest, after a while you don't even look out any more - it becomes like another wall. The only times I'd go out on my deck was when we had a lightening storm and transformers were blowing all over Kirkland and then big chunks of lights would go out, or when it snowed. :)

I just put nice prints on my walls, and stare at my computer screen more than anything. When I lived in Bellingham I did have a reasonably priced place (probably bc it was a former hospital) with a view of the bay, and while it was a novelty at first wore off after awhile.

Sure makes for nice photos though!:)