Weather Satellites Now Track Ocean Currents in Real Time

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For decades, mapping the ocean's currents was a slow process that relied on orbital passes every 10-21 days, often missing fast-moving or narrow currents. But a new system called GOFLOW is using deep learning to analyze thermal imagery from weather satellites, transforming it into near real-time maps of water velocity. This breakthrough in 'environmental intelligence' is opening up new possibilities for tracking everything from oil spills to marine ecosystems.

Why it matters

Accurately mapping ocean currents is crucial for understanding and protecting the marine environment. Small, fast-moving currents play a key role in vertical mixing, which distributes heat, carbon, nutrients, and pollutants between the surface and deeper ocean layers. Real-time current tracking can improve forecasting for oil spills, drifting debris, and plastic pollution, as well as aid in search and rescue operations and help monitor carbon sequestration and marine habitats.

The details

GOFLOW was developed by researchers including Luc Lenain at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Instead of launching new satellites, the system uses deep learning to analyze thermal imagery from existing weather satellites, transforming three hourly snapshots into predictions of water velocity at the middle hour. Validation tests in the Gulf Stream showed GOFLOW's maps agreed with both ship-based measurements and existing satellite products, but with greater detail on fast-moving eddies and boundary layers.

• GOFLOW was validated through research cruises in the Gulf Stream during 2023.
• The public release of GOFLOW's code and data is expected to accelerate the system's global expansion.

What’s next

Future versions of GOFLOW are expected to blend radiometers and altimeters to eliminate 'blind spots' caused by cloud cover, allowing the system to provide accurate maps even when thermal patterns are obscured. The goal is to extend GOFLOW's capabilities globally, which will require solving challenges related to Earth's curvature.