Sea-surface temperature anomaly study of records from Atlantic coast stations

Abstract

This study covers sea-surface temperature anomalies at 27 Atlantic coast stations from Eastport, Maine, to Key West, Florida, for the years 1873–1961. The anomalies were computed using as a common base period the years 1950–1959. A secular warming trend peaking in the early 1950's is demonstrated. This trend was strongest in the north and diminished progressively toward the south, where a slight cooling trend was present at Key West. Seasonal differences in the trends are also pointed out. A comparison between the east and west coasts of the United States, and between the English Channel and the east coast of the United States, shows that a partial negative correlation exists between the anomalies of the east and west sides of the oceans. This negative correlation is greatest between northern stations and becomes less toward the south, where a positive correlation may exist at times. A short review is given of previous work on climatic change in the North Atlantic, and of work on the differences between the two sides of an ocean and their causes.