Coastal Wind-Driven Processes along the German Baltic Sea Coast

3 Coastal Wind-Driven Processes along the German Baltic Sea Coast 

The mean annual cycle of SST is characterized by minimum temperatures in February/ March, occasionally lower than 0°C and a maximum in August partly higher than 20°C. In 2001 and 2005, the maximum occurred in July. The mean seasonal cycle is regionally different with extended winter and shortened summer seasons in the northern Baltic Sea. 

A correlation analysis between the winter SST and the climate indices NAO, WIBIX, and AO showed the highest coefficients of determination of 0.86 for the Arkona Sea between SST (March) and NAO and WIBIX. They were slightly reduced for the Bornholm Sea and eastern Gotland Sea. The atmospheric forcing of the entire winter season drives the water temperature of the Baltic Sea with minimum temperature in March. Therefore, the best correlation was found for the SST of March compared to the winter season. 

---