Abstract
To find the characteristics of coastal sea surface temperature (CSST) variations in the Kuroshio/Oyashio frontal region, the calculation of the heat flux and the interpretation of satellite data are performed. The CSST and meteorological data from January through December 1995 are used to estimate the net surface heat flux and heat content for the Sendai Bay. The largest heat gain (+56 Wm-2) occurs in the Matsukawaura, where strong Kuroshio/Oyashio interaction produces anomalous CSSTs and wind is more moderate than other regions over most of the year. The lowest heat gain (+35 Wm-2) occurs around the Tashiro Island, where the temperature difference between air and sea surface is lower and wind is stronger. The heat loss is larger during winter. From the AVHRR and SeaWiFS data, the offshore condition between the bay and Eno Island is differentiated by Ojika Peninsula, with varying dominant current. It is shown that the temporal behaviors of SSTs are closely connected with the air-sea heatflux and offshore condition.
