153 



when the comput&tions involved the excessively high v/ind speeds found in 

 the vicinity of hurricane centers. Figure 2 represents an attempt to 

 construct a composite heat-exchange chart for the 10-day period ,iust before 

 the passage of hurricane Ginny. The pattern shows only the existing heat 

 exchange, unaffected by the passage of the hurricane. Dew points, air-sea 

 temperature differences, and wind velocity were averaged for this 10-day 

 period by 1-degree squares. Sea-surface temperatures and air temperatures 

 for each synoptic observation were used in the calculation of the total 

 heat exchange in each 1-degree square. By employing this method, a composite 

 energy exchange chart, based on a corresponding composite sea-surface 

 temperature analysis, was constructed (Figure l) . Patterns of warm and cool 

 water masses and of maximum and minimum energy exchange areas are shown in 

 Figures 1 and 2. 



Extensive calculation errors which may occur in the preparation of 

 total heat-exchange charts can be minimized by using data from composite sea- 

 surface temperature charts. The most obvious errors in determining sea-surface 

 temperatures can be eliminated by mass data coverage (Figure l) . Consequently, 

 Jacobs' equations can be used in computing individual synoptic data, and 

 reliable results can be obtained. 



OCEANOGRAPHY AND ANALYSIS 



To construct the 10-day composite chart shown in Figure 1, sea-surface 

 temperature data for October 11-19, 1963> were used. An analysis of these 

 data was performed; doubtful data were circled and not used in the computa- 

 tions . The chart shows that the temperature patterns for certain ocean areas 

 maintain a high degree of persistence. For shorter time periods (10 days or 

 less), these patterns appear to be conservative; they are, however, extremely 

 complex. Berson (1962) endorses the existence of quasi-meridionally oriented 

 bands of thermally differentiated water, with significantly varying layer 

 depth, having dimensions of 20 to 60 km in width and 50O km or more in length. 

 The surprisingly stable correlations with current velocity suggest long-term 

 persistence of these bands. This persistence is in agreement with strong 

 indications of quasi-geostrophic balance prevailing in the long-term seasonal 

 averages of the current component along the bands . It is thus quite possible 

 that these standing oceanic eddies, on a mesoscale, form an integral part of 

 the mechanism for secular-scale meridional heat transport in the oceans. 

 According to Laevastu (1963), pronounced patterns of heat-exchange components 

 are relatively persistent from day to day, with slight changes in position 

 and intensity. 



Figure 1 shows the ajcis of the Gulf Stream and the ad.iacent cold water 

 of the continental shelf. Horizontal surface temperature gradients of 8 to 

 10°F exist within the few miles between these two water masses . The alternat- 

 ing warm and cool bands of water are quite notable; however, their surface 

 temperature gradients are less than those along the Gulf Stresim. 



The total -heat-exchange pattern shown in Figure 2 is very similar to 



