Estimation of extra-tropical air sea temperature differences

Regression equations for the extra-tropical air-sea temperature difference were tested. The predictors used were parameters available from satellite retrievals or through the interpretation of satellite imagery. A simple model was used to physically relate the predictors and predictand where necessary. The results were primarily dependent on the sign of the surface pressure anomaly. A correlation of 0.7 with a standard error of estimate of 1.1K was found in areas of negative surface pressure anomaly. In regions of positive surface pressure anomaly the relative invariance of the air-sea temperature difference combined with the difficulty of adequately allowing for subsidence inversions resulted in a weaker correlation.