Definition
A network of automated weather observing stations operated by the National Data Buoy Center along U.S. coastlines, on offshore platforms, and on islands. C-MAN stations measure surface conditions such as wind speed and direction, air pressure, air and sea temperature, and in some cases wave data, and report them on a regular schedule for use in marine and aviation weather products.
Plain English
A group of unmanned weather stations placed along coasts and on offshore structures. They take readings of wind, pressure, and temperature and send them in automatically, day and night.
Context Anchor
Pilots may encounter this term when checking weather for coastal airports, shoreline routes, or flights that pass over or near water.
Derivation
Coastal refers to where the stations sit — along the coast and just offshore. Marine means relating to the sea. Automated means the stations report on their own without an operator on site. Network means the individual stations are linked together so their data is collected and shared as one source.
Why Pilots Care
Supplies reliable, up-to-date weather observations in areas where conditions can shift quickly, supporting safer go/no-go decisions and route adjustments.
Grounding Statement
Think of it as automatic weather reporting from places where land and ocean weather meet.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “marine” means this information is only for boats. In this term, it means the stations observe weather around coastal and nearby water areas, which can also matter to pilots.
Example Sentence 1
Before the flight to the island airport, she checked the nearest C-MAN station for current wind and sea-level pressure.
Example Sentence 2
The latest Coastal-Marine Automated Network report showed a drop in visibility that prompted the pilot to delay the flight until conditions improved.