SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE ANOMALIES FORMATION IN THE GULF OF MEXICO UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF HURRICANE SULLY ON SEPTEMBER11–17, 2020

Abstract

Problem Statement and Purpose. Tropical cyclones are one of the most destructive natural phenomena on Earth, causing great social and economic losses. Given the destructive impact of tropical cyclones, the question of their study and the impact of climate change on their behavior is considerable scientific interest. Tropical cyclones "draw" energy from the surface of the ocean. Tropical cyclones arise and develop over the water surface, the temperature of which is not lower than 26 °C. In the case when a well-developed tropical cyclone hits the colder surface of the ocean, it begins to fill up quickly. Thus, a change in the SST on the path of the tropical cyclone may affect the further development and intensity of the storm, and as a result, its destructive power. The purpose of the work is to determine the deviations of the ocean surface temperature in the Gulf of Mexico under the influence of the passage of Hurricane Sally on September 11–17, 2020. Data & Methods. The analysis of sea surface temperature anomalies was performed on the basis of data from the NOAA OI SST V2 High Resolution Dataset Optimum Daily Interpolation of Sea Surface Temperature product, which is long-term climate data (period 1971–2000) and allows determination of daily of sea surface temperature anomalies with a step of 1/4°. Results. Against the background of positive Sea Surface Temperature anomalies associated with the tendency to increase Sea Surface Temperature in the Gulf of Mexico, which has been observed in recent decades, in the places where the trajectory of Hurricane Sally passed during the next day, the appearance of negative Sea Surface Temperature anomalies was noted, which had a focal character and were comparable in area to horizontal dimensions of the hurricane. Over time, cells of negative Sea Surface Temperature anomalies increased in area and temperature deviation. The highest Sea Surface Temperature anomalies values were observed on September 15–16, 2020 and were –1 °C. Negative anomalies persisted after the passage of Sally for a month, after which a positive Sea Surface Temperature anomalies formed on the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, occupying the entire water area of the Gulf. This duration of preservation of anomalies may be related to the circulation of the waters.