AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF THE POSITIVE SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE ANOMALY IN THE NORTHEAST PACIFIC JUNE-OCTOBER 1967.

Factors affecting the heat content of the oceans surface layer are briefly discussed. Some recent studies of sea surface temperature SST anomalies are reviewed. The SST anomaly in the NE Pacific, June-October 1967, is described. The influence of individual parameters 1000mb wind, advection, mixed layer depth, net heat exchange, convergence-divergence on the development and dissipation of the SST anomaly under investigation is evaluated. The simultaneous interactions of the parameters during the period of the study are discussed. Movement of the SST anomaly is described. Warmer than usual advection of surface water and high values of net heat exchange were necessary but not sufficient conditions for development of the SST anomaly. The critical importance of horizontal convergence in the surface layer and relatively shallow mixed layer depth is determined. Author