The use of geo-spatial data from satellite imagery of sea surface temperature and data from in situ ocean observing systems supports the development of forecasts that inform management of the ecological impacts of hurricanes on coastal ocean ecosystems. National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science scientists combined data from remote sea surface temperature (SST) imagery and temperature-salinity profiles to document that weakened Hurricane Ernesto did not cool surface waters or vertically destratify the water column of Onslow Bay, North Carolina, on September 1, 2006. Hydrographic profiles collected before and 18 days after passage of Ernesto indicated that destratification and sea surface cooling had occurred, but the SST time series showed that no abrupt SST decrease directly followed Ernesto. The gradual decrease of SST and destratification observed after Ernesto was more likely the result of seasonal cooling. For more information,
contact Erik Davenport at (252) 728-3028 or Eric.Davenport@noaa.gov, or
Randy Ferguson at (252) 728-8764 or Randy.Ferguson@noaa.gov. [02F00017]
(CCFHR)