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Purpose:
In storm tracking and analysis, an attempt to access any and all available data is made. Buoys are an incredible source of information intrinsic to generating an accurate forecast. The value of the buoy data dramatically increases as the storm approaches coastal communities. Using this data, flooding and general storm strength can be determined with a high degree of accuracy. For this to occur, the storm must pass over or near a buoy. The closer the eyewall is to a buoy, the more accurate landfall strength predictions can be made.
Unlike images from radar or satellites, buoy data is real-time. The images are approximations of reality where buoys generate real, raw data with minimal human intervention.