Sea surface temperatures are collected by various organizations and can be used for weather forecasting and ocean health studies. Data can be collected through thermometers, observation stations, and weather satellites. The temperature of the ocean impacts weather patterns and can be studied through archived data for extended climate studies and weather modeling.
Sea surface temperatures are measurements taken at the surface of the ocean, ranging from the highest millimeter to the greatest depth, depending on the measurement system used. Government agencies, private meteorological companies, and academic weather observatories all collect sea surface temperature (SST) data. It can be used in weather forecasting and ocean health and weather studies. The world’s oceans have a profound impact on climate patterns and studying them can provide important insights into various weather phenomena.
There are several ways to collect sea surface temperature data. One option is to use a thermometer right at the source. Observation stations can also collect data on wave height, turbidity and other topics of interest. Information is typically transmitted remotely to a collection site to streamline data collection. When a weather station fails to broadcast or appears to be throwing errors, a technician can visit it to determine what kind of service it might need.
Weather satellites can also collect information about sea surface temperatures. Satellite data typically requires a number of scans, as cloud cover can interfere with accurate measurements. On maps that use satellite data, periodic dark spots may represent areas that the satellite was unable to measure due to persistent clouds or other problems. Like base weather stations, satellites typically collect a variety of data in addition to temperatures.
For meteorologists, information about sea surface temperature is very important. The temperature of the ocean has an impact on the air masses above it. Temperature changes can create a variety of weather conditions, ranging from clear, sunny skies to severe storms. Cyclical seasonal changes in temperature help explain some weather patterns. Periodic dramatic spikes like warming in the Pacific can cause phenomena like El Niño weather patterns seen about every five years.
Archives of global sea surface temperature data are available through a variety of resources. These provide information that researchers can apply to extended climate studies. Some yearly temperature swings are normal, as are larger cyclical patterns that may appear more infrequently. Researchers who want to know whether they’re looking at a trend or an anomaly need to be able to refer to old data to learn more about how the ocean typically behaves over time. This data can also be useful for weather modeling, where meteorologists may want to compare forecasts with actual behavior in the past to determine their accuracy and reliability.
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