DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR SYNOPTIC SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE ANALYSES.

A series of tests was conducted to determine data requirements for synoptic sea surface temperature analyses. Random plots of various concentrations of perfect temperature data were analyzed manually and by computer techniques to establish analysis accuracies as a function of the quantity of data in...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: James, Richard W.
Other Authors: NAVAL OCEANOGRAPHIC OFFICE NSTL STATION MS
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: 1967
Subjects:
Physical and Dynamic Oceanography
Computer Programming and Software
(*SEA WATER
SURFACE TEMPERATURE)
DATA PROCESSING
OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA
COMPUTER PROGRAMS
OCEANOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT
PREDICTIONS
QUALITY CONTROL
ACCURACY
DIURNAL VARIATIONS
PERIODIC VARIATIONS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
MAPS
AIRBORNE RADIATION THERMOMETERS
NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN
North Atlantic
Online Access:http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0825597
http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0825597
Description
Summary:A series of tests was conducted to determine data requirements for synoptic sea surface temperature analyses. Random plots of various concentrations of perfect temperature data were analyzed manually and by computer techniques to establish analysis accuracies as a function of the quantity of data input. A random error function was utilized to introduce errors in the temperature data + or - 1 to 7 F in accuracy and + or - 12 miles in positioning. Analyses of various quantities and qualities of input data show that the present data input would have to be increased by a factor of 5 or 6 to ensure reliable analyses of a complex thermal area. By using improved instrumentation, such as the airborne radiation thermometer (ART), buoys, and the near-surface reference temperature device (NSRT), the requirements for data can be halved. That is, 25 to 30 observations per day per 5-degree square of ocean would be required for areas like the Gulf Stream. For less complex areas, such as the Sargasso Sea, only 6 to 8 reports per day are required for the same size area, assuming the observations are taken by reliable instrumentation. Ship injection temperatures (not NSRT) in any quantity will not provide the desired reliability of analysis in these areas. ART surveys are highly recommended for complex areas where large quantities of fairly reliable data are required. These data would be wasted in less complex areas, where a few buoys of high accuracy can provide sufficient information. (Author)

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