National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration facts for kids

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Agency overview
Logo and wordmark of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Flag of NOAA
Formed	October 3, 1970; 54 years ago (1970-10-03)
Preceding agencies	United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Environmental Science Services Administration
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	Silver Spring, Maryland 38°59′32″N 77°01′50″W / 38.99222°N 77.03056°W / 38.99222; -77.03056
Employees	321 NOAA Commissioned Corps (2018) 12,000 civilian employees (2021)
Annual budget	$6.9 billion (est. 2022)
Agency executive	Rick Spinrad, NOAA Administrator and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
Parent agency	US Department of Commerce
Child agencies	National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service National Marine Fisheries Service National Ocean Service National Weather Service Office of Marine and Aviation Operations Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Office of Space Commerce

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, pronounced "NO-ah") is a science agency in the United States. It's part of the United States Department of Commerce. NOAA's main job is to understand and protect our planet's oceans and atmosphere.

NOAA helps us by forecasting weather and monitoring ocean conditions. They also map the seas and explore the deep ocean. A big part of their work is managing fishing and protecting marine animals. This includes endangered species in U.S. waters.

History of NOAA
How NOAA is Organized
What NOAA Does
NOAA and Climate Change
The NOAA Flag
See also

History of NOAA

Two NOAA WP-3D Orions hurricane hunter aircraft

NOAA's story goes back to several older government groups. Some of these groups were very old. For example, the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey started in 1807. The Weather Bureau of the United States began in 1870.

In 1965, many science agencies joined together. They formed the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA). This was a direct step towards creating NOAA.

NOAA was officially created on October 3, 1970. U.S. President Richard Nixon wanted a new agency. He wanted it to better protect people and property from natural dangers. He also wanted it to help us understand the environment. NOAA was placed in the Department of Commerce.

In 2007, NOAA celebrated 200 years of service. This was because it continued the work of the U.S. Survey of the Coast. In 2021, NOAA had almost 12,000 civilian employees. Also, 321 uniformed service members, called the NOAA Commissioned Corps, support their work.

How NOAA is Organized

NOAA Headquarters

NOAA's main office is in Silver Spring, Maryland. It has been there since 1993. This large campus has four buildings. It is home to over 40 different NOAA offices. This includes the National Weather Service.

NOAA campus in Silver Spring, Maryland

Who Leads NOAA?

Richard (Rick) W. Spinrad is the current head of NOAA. He is also the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere. President Biden chose him for the role. The U.S. Senate approved his nomination in June 2021.

Idea for an Independent NOAA

NOAA was created by a special order in 1970. It has never been made into a law by Congress. In 2023, a Congressman named Frank Lucas suggested a new law. This law would make NOAA an independent agency. This means it would not be part of the Commerce Department anymore.

What NOAA Does

NOAA works through six main offices to achieve its goals. These offices include the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Other offices are the National Ocean Service (NOS), the National Weather Service (NWS), the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO).

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service (NWS) gives us weather forecasts and warnings. They also predict river levels and climate changes. This helps protect people and property. It also helps the economy.

The NWS has national and regional centers. It also has over 120 local weather offices. They issue many forecasts and warnings every day. They use a network of Doppler weather radars called NEXRAD. These radars can detect rain and snow. Many of their updates are broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio. This radio network gives weather information 24 hours a day.

National Ocean Service

The National Ocean Service (NOS) works to keep our oceans and coasts safe and healthy. Their scientists and managers help ensure safe shipping. They also find new ways to protect coastal communities. They work to save marine and coastal areas.

The NOS has several program offices. These include the Office for Coastal Management and the Office of Coast Survey. They also manage the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service

A NOAA engineer at work

The National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) manages U.S. environmental satellites. They also handle data from the NWS and other government groups. NESDIS's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) stores a lot of data. This data comes from NOAA, the U.S. Navy, and other sources worldwide.

NESDIS has managed satellites since the 1960s. They operate satellites that orbit the Earth and those that stay in one spot above the Earth. These satellites help us monitor our planet.

National Marine Fisheries Service

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is also known as NOAA Fisheries. It started in 1871. Its main goal is to research, protect, and manage fisheries. This includes both commercial and recreational fishing. They also work to restore fish habitats and protect endangered species.

NMFS has offices and labs across the U.S. and its territories. These places are where they research and manage marine resources. They also have an office that enforces marine resource laws.

Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

NOAA's research is done through the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR). This research helps create NOAA's products and services. These services protect lives and property. They also help the economy grow.

OAR studies things like tornadoes, hurricanes, and climate change. They also look at solar flares and changes in the ozone layer. Their research helps us understand ocean currents and coastal ecosystems. OAR also develops new technologies and observing systems.

OAR has seven research laboratories. They also work with 30 university programs called Sea Grant. Thousands of scientists and students work together. They learn more about natural events that affect us all.

NOAA Ships and Aircraft

Aerial photographer in the unpressurized cabin of a NOAA de Havilland Buffalo breathing with the assistance of an oxygen mask while operating a Wild Heerbrugg RC-8 camera

The Office of Marine and Aviation Operations manages NOAA's ships, aircraft, and diving operations. NOAA has the largest research fleet in the U.S. government. Its staff includes civilians and members of the NOAA Commissioned Corps.

NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps

The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps is a uniformed service. Its members operate NOAA ships and aircraft. They also work in science and administrative jobs.

NOAA and Climate Change

Since 2001, NOAA has hosted senior staff from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This group studies climate science. NOAA also publishes the Arctic Report Card every year. This report tracks how changing conditions affect the Arctic environment.

The NOAA Flag

The NOAA flag is based on an older flag. It comes from the flag of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. That flag was blue with a white circle and a red triangle inside. It showed how they used triangulation for surveying.

When NOAA was created in 1970, it used a similar design. The NOAA flag has the NOAA logo in the center of the red triangle. NOAA ships fly this flag to show they belong to NOAA.