Chapter 11 — WATCH ROUTINES (CONTINUED) 



Figure 11-23. — Sea surface temperature analysis of western North Atlantic. 



209.331 



Analysis Techniques. — In most areas in which 

 the AG will work, he will have available to 

 him recent SST analyses in the form of charts 

 or RATTGRAPHIC teletype messages. 



These charts will provide a history to fol- 

 low when performing analysis. Through refer- 

 ence to these history charts and a current 

 synoptic chart, the task of analyzing the SST 

 chart is simplified to a considerable degree. 

 This is due to the fact that the oceans show 

 considerable conservatism and change gradually. 

 Even in areas where two major currents are 

 adjacent, only small orderly changes take place. 

 This tendency of the oceans to change at a 

 gradual pace must be constantly kept in mind. 

 Any sudden changes in temperature patterns 

 should be closely examined and their cause 

 determined as to whether the change is real 

 or in error. 



A few of the more pertinent rules of be- 

 havior of the oceans to be considered as you 

 prepare the SST analysis are as follows: 



1. Look for a complex analysis of tongue- 

 like protrusions on the northern edge of the 



Gulf Stream such as those indicated in figure 

 11-23. This same configuration will probably 

 be evident for any of the northward flowing 

 major currents. 



2. Watch for rapid changes in the horizontal 

 temperature gradient to the north (i.e., tight 

 gradient). 



3. A much less complex pattern will char- 

 acterize thci Gulf Stream or other major cur- 

 rents on the southern side. 



4. Cold tongues will generally be orientated 

 toward the south or southwest (from a source 

 in the north or northeast). Warm tongues will 

 be orientated towards the north or northeast 

 (from the source of warm water). 



5. The Gulf Stream or other major cur- 

 rents can be expected to be continuous and 

 should not be segmented or cut into by cold 

 tongues. 



6. Although isolated pools of water do exist, 

 they are rare. If they do occur, they will last 

 only a short time and therefore probably not 

 show up on composite charts. 



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