Profiling the boundary layers of the atmosphere and ocean from the surface outward

This proposal outlines the development of a next-generation ocean-atmospheric observing system using Stoa Sticks, expendable air-sea platforms capable of withstanding extreme weather. The Stoa Stick, a free-drifting spar buoy, measures key air-sea interaction parameters, including turbulent fluxes and wave characteristics. Integrating GPS Radio Occultation (RO) receivers onto the Stoa Stick would enable novel retrieval of marine boundary layer profiles, addressing a current observational gap. This approach offers a potential solution for enhanced marine boundary layer observations, particularly during extreme events. The Phase I effort will focus on evaluating the Stoa Stick’s stability and measurement capabilities, and assessing the feasibility of GPS RO profiling from a near-surface platform. Successful implementation will result in a scalable, cost-effective, and robust ocean-based observation network, advancing weather forecasting and air-sea interaction understanding.