SEASONAL AND INTERANNUAL VARIATIONS OF THE SEA-SURFACE TEMPERATURES (SST) IN THE BANDA AND ARAFURA SEA AREA

Satellite observations now make it possible to follow variations in sea surface temperatures (SST) over several consecutive seasons and years. A processing method of the GOSSTCOMPT charts has been perfected for Indonesian waters. This note presents weekly SST observations, averaged over a four-year period (1 July 1981 to July 1985) for 23 spots (squares) in the Banda and Arafura Seas. For 2 spots the weekly SST are given for the full four-year period, indicating the interannual variation. The data show a seasonal SST variation in all squares with lower temperatures from June till September and maximum temperatures from November till April. The amplitude of the seasonal SST variation increases from north to south and from west to east, ranging from 2-3°C to 5-6°C. In addition, significant interannual variations in SST were recorded, probably related to the El Niño-phenomenon. © 1990.