Regional Features of Long-term Variability of the Black Sea Surface Temperature

Yu. V. Artamonov, E. A. Skripaleva, and A. V. Fedirko

The regional features of long-term variability of sea surface temperature (SST) in the Black Sea are analyzed using the satellite data for 1982–2014. It is demonstrated that the maximum intraannual and interannual variability of SST is registered on the northwestern shelf of the Black Sea. The high level of interannual variability of SST and maximum linear trends are observed in the northeastern part of the sea. The qualitative connection is revealed between the long-term variability of SST and the variations in the intensity of the Black Sea Rim Current in the long-term seasonal cycle. An increase in the level of interannual variability of SST is observed in summer, when the Black Sea Rim Current weakens. The significant negative correlation is revealed between the interannual anomalies of SST and the NAO index. The highest correlation coefficients are obtained for the eastern part of the Black Sea and near the Crimean coast.