Four-day averaged global sea surface temperature (SST) distribution derived from
AMSR data during January 28 and 31, 2003. It can be seen that the cold current streaming northward along the west coast of South America (Humboldt Current) is weakened by the El Niño event began in 2002. Because of the existence of warm currents (the Kuroshio Current and Gulf Stream), SST is relatively warmer in higher latitude along the east coast of continents in the Northern Hemisphere such as off east Japan and North America. In contrast, SST observed off California, which corresponds to the west coast of continent, is colder under the influence of the cold California Current even in the same latitude.
The microwave observation technique has the capability of observing SST through non-precipitating clouds. In addition to this, combination of
AMSR and
AMSR-E, which is the sister instrument (operational since June 2002) on board NASA's EOS Aqua, provides more frequent measurement.
Feb. 5, 2003
