An Analysis of 20 Years of Meteorological and Oceanographic Data from Ocean Station N

Abstract

Meteorological and oceanographic data for Ocean Station Vessel N (30N, 14OW) are analyzed over 20 years (1951?70) and 7 years (1964?70), respectively. A rainfall estimate is constructed for the 20-year period. The yearly average rainfall is 23 cm, far less than existing estimates. Daily and seasonal variations are presented. Heat budgets of the surface show that the two decades (1951?60, 1961?70) are distinctly different. Anomalies of the 20 years of all meteorological variables are calculated. The pressure anomaly appears to be loosely correlated with anomalous large-scale events in the equatorial Pacific. Time series cross sections are shown of the mixed layer depth, bottle temperature and salinity. The near-surface density appears to be largely controlled by temperature.