Interpretation of satellite-derived sea surface temperatures

Over the last twenty-five years sea surface temperatures have been available from satellite observations through the application of simple algorithms applied to infrared observations. Algorithm coefficients have been derived from simple regression analyses between surface and space-based observations. Accuracies in the order of 0.6 K have been obtained. However we are now receiving data with improved precision and thus increased care must be exercised in the derivation of algorithm coefficients and the interpretation of the derived temperatures. The most important ancillary data required are estimates of the surface wind speed and future satellites should include such capability if accurate estimates of the mixed layer sea surface temperature are to be obtained. Ship measurements showing the effect of surface wind speed on the vertical structure of near-surface water temperature are presented. (C) 2001 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.