What conditions do scientists prefer for conducting synoptic surveys?
The prescription for a favorable survey includes cool weather following a prolonged period of cold weather (usually following multiple cold fronts), low winds and bright sunshine. Weather conditions and manatee behavior during the survey have a large effect on the synoptic counts. Weather requirements to conduct the survey: • Air temperatures forecasted to be no higher than 49° F near most major manatee aggregation sites on at least three of five days prior to the survey. • Water temperature below 68° F near most major manatee aggregation sites. • On the survey days, no winds forecasted above 15 knots in the entire survey area. • On survey days, no sky conditions forecasted as “mostly cloudy” or “rainy” in the entire survey area.
