THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES THE VARIABILITY OF SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURES OFF THE COAST OF PERU DURING MARCH AND APRIL, 1976 by Mark Melvin Nanney A Thesis submitted to the Department of Meteorology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Approved: Ffaned Maeef Professor Directing Thesis Shots G Diemer, June, 1978 ©,ABSTRACT The variability of the sea surface temperature (SST) field over a major coastal upwelling region off the coast of Peru was investigated. The data were collected via a research aircraft as part of the JOINT II oceanographic ex- periment conducted during March and April 1976. Aircraft flights were performed mainly between 1030 and 1600 LST. The primary flight elevation was 500 ft (152 m). The air- craft was equipped for measuring meteorological quantities, including the wind. This allowed for study of the effect of wind forcing on the SST field. The data always show a pronounced SST gradient asso- ciated with upwelling, usually within 28 nautical miles of shore. A typical range of SST over the flight area is 15.5°C-20.0°C. There are at least two small areas (just offshore from Punta Santa Ana and Punta San Nicolas) where SST's are always below 16.0°C. There is a frequent plume of cold water projecting to the west of Cabo Nazca. Most temporal and spatial variability in the overall SST field is in the configuration and steepness of the nearshore up- welling gradient. Aircraft-measured SST's and winds agree well with available surface observations, SST values have a good correspondence with longshore and time variations in the tangential to the coast component iiof the wind (Vp) field. The time response of the SST field to wind forcing appears to be on the order of one day. The effect of the curl of the tangential wind stress is not obvious within 28 nautical miles of shore. The small persistent SST minima are not thought to be wind dominated. Bottom topography and the convergence/di- vergence of surface ocean currents around capes are probable contributors to upwelling in these areas. Ocean currents, the horizontal advection of surface water and the diurnal oscillation of the wind forcing must not be overlooked in describing the nearshore upwelling circulation. iii