The air temperature at the sea surface is affected by both the sun and the seawater temperature. From March to August, air temperature drops due to strong winds that cause upwelling to bring cooler water to the surface.

This graph shows the average temperature (in blue) for each day of the year and the spread of one standard deviation (in gray) calculated from the actual temperatures recorded from 1982-2007. The red marks represent the current daily average.

Data courtesy of NOAA, from NDBC 46013.

Climate Change Research at BML >

Seawater temperature varies by several degrees throughout the year. Generally the summer sun warms the water, but upwelling brings cooler waters to the surface, causing the dip from March to August.

This graph shows the average temperature (in blue) for each day of the year and the spread of one standard deviation (in gray) calculated from the actual temperatures recorded from 1982-2007. The red marks represent the current daily average.

Data courtesy of NOAA, from NDBC 46013.

Climate Change Research at BML >

The wind speed at the sea surface varies with the seasons and is typically strongest from March to August, causing the surface seawater to flow offshore and in turn bringing deep water to the surface (upwelling).

This graph shows the average wind speed (in blue) for each day of the year and the spread of one standard deviation (in gray) calculated from the actual wind speeds recorded from 1982-2007. The red marks represent the current daily average.

Data courtesy of NOAA, from NDBC 46013.

Climate Change Research at BML >

Air, wind, and seawater temperature data used in the
climatology charts are courtesy of NOAA, see NDBC 46013.