Climatic Zoning of SST in the East China Sea and Adjacent Seas from 1981 to 2010

Abstract In this study, the data of sea surface temperature (SST) and current for 1981 to 2010 from the SODA_2.2.4 were used to analyze the climatic zoning characteristics of SST in the East China Sea and adjacent sea areas, and the relationship between SST and relevant factors, to provide a reference for further research on long-term climate change. The results show that : (1) Under the combined action of sea-land distribution, latitude and ocean current, the study area can be divided into three climatic zones: the continental shelf area of the East China Sea, the Kuroshio area of the East China Sea and the Northwest Pacific Ocean. SST from northwest to southeast presents a low - high - second high distribution pattern. (2) Due to the influence of the change of direct point of the sun, the highest SST in the low and high latitudes is 1 month apart, which is July and August respectively. In general, the isotherm in the study area is dense in February. The average SST in the whole region was the lowest, about 19.9°C. The temperature difference between North and South is large, about 17°C. August isotherms are sparse; the average SST in the whole area is the highest, about 28.5°C; the temperature difference between north and south is small, about 6°C. (3) The annual temperature difference of the surface waters of the whole study area is related to latitude. Compared with the latitude, the annual temperature difference in the continental shelf area is the largest, and the Kuroshio area is the smallest. According to coefficient of variation of monthly SST, the annual variation of SST decreases from northwest to southeast. (4) SST rises fastest in May, June and July; and declines fastest in December and January. High-latitude sea areas and near-shore sea areas have rapider and larger changes in SST, and the Kuroshio affected area has slower and smaller changes.