A Note Comparing Historical Sea Surface Temperature Observations at Ocean Station P

Abstract

Abstract Two series of sea surface temperature observations reported for Station P (50°N, 145°W) during the period 1952–65 are compared. One series consists of either engine intake or surface bucket temperature measurements (TS) and the other consists of surface bathythermograph temperatures (TB). Estimates of the monthly mean sea surface temperature from these two series differ by up to 1.04°C. The difference (Ts−TS) is time dependent, changing from positive during 1952–53 to negative in 1954–56. Only since 1956 have the annual mean differences been less than the accepted accuracy of the measurements (±0.2°C). The minimum difference occurs in summer with the maximum in winter. There are occasional significant effects on the annual mean difference due to the type of ship operations, that is, whether hydrographic observations are carried out.