Meteorological and Related Data are delivered by the Bureau's basic observation, telecommunications and data processing systems.

The observation system includes: 57 Bureau-staffed stations which undertake a comprehensive program of surface and/or upper-air meteorological data collection; more than 800 stations taking surface observations using either automatic weather stations or contract observers; some 6000 volunteer rainfall observing stations; approximately 100 volunteer ships taking marine weather observations; and a range of other specialised networks and facilities such as weather watch radar, solar and terrestrial radiation observations, satellite data reception and marine observations from drifting buoys.

The telecommunications systems comprise an integrated network of landline, satellite and radio systems for the flow of observations, information, and forecasts and warnings to Bureau offices, external clients and internationally.

Data processing is undertaken at the National Meteorological and Oceanographic Operations Centre (NMOC) in Melbourne, the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for tropical analysis in Darwin, and at seven Regional Forecasting Centres, one in each State and the Northern Territory.

Engineering, workshop and computing facilities constitute an integral part of the observation, data collection and telecommunication systems.

• Planned Outcome 2004-05
• Outputs 2004-05
• Achieving the Outcome