Variations of SST around Korea Inferred from NOAA AVHRR Data

The NOAA AVHRR remotely sensed SST data, collected by the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), are analyzed in order to understand the spatial and temporal distributions of SST in the sea near korea. Our study is based on 10-day SST images during last 7 years (1991-1997). For a time series analysis of multiple SST images, all of images must be consistent exactly at the same position by adjusting the scales and positions of each SST image. We devised an algorithm which automatically detects cloud pixels from multiple SST images. The cloud detection algorithm is based on a physical constraint that SST anomalies in the ocean do not exceed certain limits (we used 3 as a criterion of SST anomalies). The remotely sensed SST data are tuned by comparing remotely sensed data with observed SST at coastal stations. Seasonal variations of SST are studied by harmonic fit of SST normals at each pixel and the SST anomalies are studied by statistical method. It was found that the SST anomalies are rather persistent for one or two months. Utilizing the persistency of SST anomalies, we devised an algorithm for a prediction of future SST. In the Markov lprocess model of SST anomalies, autoregression coefficients of SST anomalies during a time elapse of 10 days are between 0.5 and 0.7. The developed algorithm with automatic cloud pixel detection and rediction of future SST is expected to be incorporated to the operational real time service of SST around Korea.