kuststations

Kuststations, or coastal stations, are observation sites located along coastlines or just offshore that monitor atmospheric and oceanographic conditions. They form part of national and international networks for weather, climate, and marine data. Typical kuststations may include automated weather stations, tide gauges, and coastal wave buoys, and can be situated at harbors, headlands, or offshore platforms.

Measurements commonly gathered at kuststations include air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, precipitation, and solar radiation, as well as sea surface temperature, nearshore water temperature, sea level, wave height and period, and currents. Some stations also monitor salinity, turbidity, and water quality. Data are usually timestamped, quality controlled, and transmitted in near real-time to central data centers.

The data from kuststations are used in weather forecasting, storm warnings, navigation safety, coastal flood and erosion risk assessments, and climate research. They also support maritime operations, fisheries management, and coastal planning. Through international networks, coastal observations help improve understanding of land–sea interactions, sea breezes, tides, and regional climate variability.

Governance and operation of kuststations vary by country, but many are run by government meteorological or hydrological services, universities, or research institutions. Regular maintenance and sensor calibration are essential to ensure data reliability. By providing observations close to the shoreline, kuststations complement inland networks and contribute to a more complete picture of the nearshore environment.