ACCURACY OF SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE ANALYSIS-PART I.
Abstract
Five sea surface temperature analyses (Fleet Numerical Weather Facility, Monterey; Fleet Weather Facility, Norfolk; NAVOCEANO 15-day composite; H. O. 225 Atlas; and a historical chart) are compared with surface temperatures obtained on a recent airborne radiation thermometer flight. The flight from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Patuxent River, Maryland, was made under conditions of clear skies and with sufficient wind to mix the surface film. Fleet Weather Facility, Norfolk and the NAVOCEANO composite analysis proved most reliable with mean absolute errors of 3.7 F and 3.6 F, respectively. These charts were also considered more useful in that they show details such as countercurrents, the north wall of the Gulf Stream, and other high gradient areas. A May 1965 mean monthly sea surface temperature chart was used as a historical chart and had an error of 3.8 F. The Atlas and Monterey's charts had errors of 5.3 F and 9.6 F, respectively. By elimination of bias, errors were reduced on all analyses; Fleet Weather Facility showing the smallest error, 3.2 F. It is concluded that considerable improvement can still be realized in sea surface temperatture analyses once sufficient data of a reliable nature are available. With present data input, the Fleet Weather Facility manually prepared, subjective chart provides the most reliable sea surface temperature information for the ASWEPS area. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0489639
Entities
People
- Richard W. James
Organizations
- Naval Oceanographic Office