Monthly Mean Sea Surface Research Articles

Statistical estimation of Cloudiness parameters

An attempt has been made to use satellite radiation measurements for the determination of the temporal and spatial variability of two cloudiness parameters, which are closely related with the radiation budget of the Earth-atmosphere system. On the basis of two sets of experimentally determined values of the planetary albedo the monthly mean cloud amount distribution has been estimated in the latitudinal belt between 60°N and 60°S. For this purpose the realistic values of the ground albedo have been used, and the cloud albedo was assumed to be dependent only on the solar zenith angle. A harmonic analysis has been undertaken for the cloud amount distribution over the latitudinal belt from 30°N to 30°S. It has been shown that nine harmonics can be used for an adequate description of the temporal-spatial variability of cloudiness. The mean monthly zonal values of cloud top temperature and of the cloud top height over the tropical oceans have been estimated on the basis of the experimental values of outgoing longwave flux. For this task the monthly mean sea surface temperatures have been used. The transfer of longwave radiation has been described by means of the integral transmission functions for water vapour and carbon dioxide.

Effect of the Leeuwin Current upon sea surface temperatures off south-western Australia

Comparison of long-term mean monthly sea surface temperatures of coastal waters at comparable latitudes off south-eastern and south-westem Australia shows that, during the duration of the Leeuwin Current in autumn and winter, sea surface temperatures are 1-3�C higher off south-western Australia.

Predictability of Monthly North Pacific Sea Level Pressure from Monthly Sea Surface Temperature for the Period 1933–1976

Statistical models were developed to specify and predict the mean monthly sea level pressure (SLP) distribution over the central and eastern North Pacific Ocean from the mean monthly sea surface temperature (SST) distribution for the same area. These models were derived from data for the period 1947–71, with data from two additional periods (1933–41 and 1972–76) retained for independent testing. The earlier period SST data is taken from a new data set compiled at the National Climatic Center and processed for use in examining large-scale air-sea interactions. This procedure is described. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis was used to represent each field (SST and SLP) by a small number of composite variables. Regression analysis. was then used in which SST EOF amplitudes were the predictors and SLP EOF amplitudes were the predictands. The analyses were stratified by month, with lags from 0–3 months considered. Of the 84 models developed, 18 were statistically significant at the 10% level. The number of significant relationships was found to decrease with increasing tag, being greatest for SST contemporaneous with SLP. All statistically significant models involved SST's from the period June–January. Each of the significant models was tested on the independent samples, using the reduction of error (RE) statistic as the measure of skill. An adjustment was made to the 1933–41 SST data to remove a systematic bias, and the RE scores recomputed. Using the adjusted data, RE scores for the 1933–41 period improved, with 10 of 18 models demonstrating skill overall. Most of the skill, especially at longer lags, was associated with models using late autumn and early winter SST as predictors. Possible reasons for the seasonal distribution of the skillful relationships are discussed.

Regular Monthly Mean Temperatures of Earth's Oceans from Satellites

Abstract Comparisons of satellite-derived monthly mean sea surface temperature anomalies with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ship-derived monthly mean sea surface temperature anomalies over the North Pacific Ocean reveal some encouraging results. Although still far from perfect, correlation coefficients for linear fits of 0.34, 0.49, 0.50, and 0.55 are observed for the winter months of November 1977, December 1977, January 1978, and February 1978, respectively. The standard error of estimate remained close to ±0.6°C and the satellite-ship temperature difference between the overall monthly mean anomaly vacillated between +0.31°C (December 1977) and −0.30°C (February 1978). Several other comparisons are presented. If the encouraging results of this study can be improved using improved sensor systems on the NOAA satellites, in addition to incorporating improved processing procedures, it would seem that we are now on the threshold of a more complete Earth monitoring system for at least one aspect of...

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

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.

The North Pacific Study

Preparations are underway to investigate the nature of large-scale fluctuations of sea-surface temperatures using a buoy array extending 2000 miles across the North Pacific. These fluctuations appear to be of common occurrence and interrelated with anomalous weather conditions and changes in the distribution of rainfall, marine productivity, and marine organisms. Although monthly mean sea-surf ace temperatures are available from ships' data, very little is known of the associated events below the sea surface, or what oceanographic and meteorological processes are involved in the onset, development, and decay of the anomalies. A pilot study of the sea-surface temperature data is providing some hints of the nature of the events. The buoys to be used have been under development at Scripps for many years. They are simple taut-moored catamaran buoys recording meteorological parameters and water temperatures to 500 meters, Qne O? two Convair Monster buoys will be used, as well as a few Seripps current-meter buoys, Present Scripps' buoys have survived winds in excess of 95 knots while moored in water over 3QOQ fathoms in depth, and have yielded the first very long continuous records of temperatures in the open sea.