Spatial and interannual variations of seasonal sea surface temperature patterns in the Baltic Sea

• Autorzy: Bradtke K. , Herman A. , Urbanski J.A.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

On the basis of monthly averaged satellite data, this study examined how the annual cycle of the Baltic Sea surface temperature (SST) varied spatially and temporally during the period 1986–2005. We conclude that there are two main thermal seasons in the Baltic Sea separated only by short transitional periods – spring lasting about one month, and autumn lasting two months. Generally speaking, summer covers the part of the year from June to October with the highest monthly mean SST in August. Winter, with a minimum monthly mean SST in February in shallow waters or in March in deeper areas, lasts from December to April. As a result of climate changes over the Baltic Sea region, strong positive trends in SST occur in the summer months. In consequence, the period with extremely high sea surface water temperatures has become slightly longer in the central Baltic. In the last decade winter changes in SST display zero or even negative tendencies. The investigated period was characterized by an annual increase in mean temperatures of about 0.03–0.07◦C. However, the rates of monthly mean SST changes were sometimes more than three times as high.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

spatial variation; interannual variation; sea surface temperature; seasonality; global climate change; thermal season; annual cycle; transitional period; Baltic Sea

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Oceanologia
• Rocznik: 2010
• Tom: 52
• Numer: 3
• Opis fizyczny: p.345-362,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Bradtke K.

• University of Gdansk, al. Marszalka Pilsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland

autor

Herman A.

autor

Urbanski J.A.