Diurnal variability of Sea Surface Temperature: Implications for the Fusion of Satellite and in situ Observationss for the Fusion of Satellite and in situ Observations
Abstract
In the context of merging satellite infrared and microwave sea surface temperature (SST) data with in situ SST observations, SST must be specified exactly because the upper ocean (~10 m) has a complex and variable vertical temperature structure. This is related to ocean turbulence and the air-sea fluxes of heat, moisture and momentum. In particular, there is a significant diurnal signal that has two distinct regimes; the cool skin temperature of the ocean (as observed by a satellite infrared radiometer) and the development of a warm stratified layer during low wind speed and high insulation conditions. The Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment (GODAE) High Resolution SST Pilot Project (GHRSST-PP) is tasked with producing a new generation of SST having global coverage and a high space (<10km) and time (<6 hours) resolution using complementary satellite and in situ SST data streams. Diurnal variability of SST poses particular problems when merging complementary satellite and in situ measurements obtained at different times within the diurnal cycle. This paper presents a series of satellite and ship-based observations that are used to demonstrate the character and magnitude of SST diurnal variability. We present methods and tools that can be used to merge such complementary SST data that properly account for diurnal sensor specific diurnal SST signals that would otherwise introduce significant error into the merged data products
- Publication:
-
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly
- Pub Date:
- April 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003EAEJA.....1635D