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Meteorological and hydrographic data were collected from a monitoring station on Dauphin Island from Feb 1998 to Jan 1999. Variables measured include air temperature, barometric pressure, solar and quantum radiation, wind speed and direction, water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and water level. Purpose: The value of coastal observing systems is recognized by the U.S. Congress, the National Ocean Partnership Program, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Recent reports by the Pew Oceans Commission and U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy have decried the lack of information from near coastal waters on which to base management decisions and recommended monitoring programs linked to strong research. Reasons for continuous, real-time observations of meteorological and hydrographic parameters include (1) continuous characterization of spatial and temporal patterns of change in water quality, (2) development of a permanent record of significant and human caused changes in environmental indicators over time and (3) support for research activities through the availability of consistent, scientifically valid data. An additional benefit of real-time observation is the potential for the public to track and learn about water quality conditions. Many coastal dwellers are uninformed about conditions in nearby estuaries because they do not have access to current information about parameters such as water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen levels and water level and they may fail to appreciate the complexity of interactions in estuarine ecosystems. Since 1998, Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the Estuarium have measured, displayed, and stored real time meteorological and hydrographic data from Mobile Bay. The Estuarium display is intended to educate visitors about the background variability in water quality measurements and to inform the public about interactions between these measurements. In addition, data are archived as part of a long-term program monitoring coastal weather conditions and baseline hydrographic conditions. Aquarium staff and vessel operations staff frequently use the weather station data as a source of information on ambient conditions to aid in decision making relative to their duties. Reseachers use the data to correlate climate and hydrography with their study variables.