THE VALUE OF NDBC OBSERVATIONS DURING MARCH 1993S STORM OF THE CENTURY

National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) observations from the western Gulf of Mexico provided several early indications of more rapid cyclogenesis on 12 March 1993 than was forecast by numerical weather prediction (NW P) models. Observations demonstrated a closed circulation with gale-fo rce winds shortly after the storm entered the Gulf of Mexico. Pressure measurements at two buoys off the Texas coast were 4-6 hPa lower than the 12-h NWP forecasts, a significant forecast error. Observations fr om NDBC's moored buoys and Coastal-Marine Automated Network stations r evealed that the developing storm was significantly deeper than was in dicated on the National Meteorological Center's automated surface anal yses. Ocean wave observations reveal some of the steepest waves NDBC h as ever measured, indicating phenomenal wave growth and a high potenti al for damage to vessels and structures. A warm eddy caused sea surfac e temperatures (SST) to be several degrees above normal under the trac k of the storm, creating a strong SST gradient to the north. This prov ided ample energy and strengthened the baroclinicity. NDBC observation s showed the eddy to be somewhat larger and warmer than indicated by t he most recent National Hurricane Center analysis. This event demonstr ates the tremendous value of NDBC marine observations for accurately d etecting the occurrence and strength of coastal cyclogenesis events.