SST rises to all time high

• The global average Sea Surface Temperature (SST) reached 21.1° Celsius (C) according to data released by Climate Change Institute at University of Maine.
  • In the Indian Ocean, it was 29 to 31° C on April 16 – which is 1-2° C above normal.
• Due to this, there are patches of strong marine heat waves over the south Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

About Sea Surface Temperature

• SST is the water temperature close to the ocean’s surface.
• It varies mainly with latitude, warmest near equator and coldest at poles.
• It provides fundamental information on the global climate system.
• It helps in the study of marine ecosystems, weather prediction and atmospheric model simulations; including the onset of El Niño and La Niña cycles, i.e. the Warm and Cool phases of a recurring climate pattern across the tropical Pacific—the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
• Reasons Behind SST Rise: Global Warming (Climate Change), high solar radiation combined with certain ocean dynamics etc.
• Impact: Helping in the onset of Monsoon and rain through development of low-pressure systems, Coral Bleaching and Fish mortality.

Other information

Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT)

• OMT is measured up to a depth of 26-degree C isotherm, is more stable and consistent, and the spatial spread is also less.
• The 26-degree C isotherm is seen at depths varying from 50–100 metres.
• Scientist have found out that OMT which is analysed by measuring the ocean thermal energy during the January-March period – can better predict Indian summer monsoon than the SST.