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Biases in satellite-derived sea-surface-temperature data

Nature volume 341, pages 728–731 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

STRONG1 indicates from satellite data that global sea surface temperature increased by 0.1 °C per year over the 6.5-year period between January 1982 and June 1988. Here we show that no significant trend can be seen in three analyses of global sea surface temperatures that are based on in situ data in this limited period, nor in an independent analysis of sea-surface-temperature (SST) and land-air-temperature data. Satellite data are blended and adjusted in one of the above SST analyses. An unadjusted satellite SST analysis similar to that used by Strong shows the same, but probably spurious, trend.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Climate Analysis Center, NMC/NWS/NOAA, Washington, DC, 20233, USA

    Richard W. Reynolds

  2. UK Meteorological Office, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 2SZ, UK

    Chris K. Folland & David E. Parker

Authors
  1. Richard W. Reynolds
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  2. Chris K. Folland
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  3. David E. Parker
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Reynolds, R., Folland, C. & Parker, D. Biases in satellite-derived sea-surface-temperature data. Nature 341, 728–731 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/341728a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/341728a0

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