Temperature Inversions in the Subarctic North Pacific

Abstract

Hydrographic data from the World Ocean Database 2001 and Argo profiling floats were analyzed to study temperature inversions in the subarctic North Pacific Ocean. The frequency distribution of temperature inversions [F(t-inv)] at a resolution of 1° (latitude) ? 3° (longitude) was calculated. Temperature inversions seldom occurred around 50°N in the eastern subarctic North Pacific but were more common in the northern Gulf of Alaska and the southeastern subarctic North Pacific (42°?48°N, 140°?170°W). Large temperature inversions occurred throughout the year in the western and central subarctic North Pacific (north of 42°N and west of 180°) except near the Aleutian and Kuril Islands. Near those islands, F(t-inv) was characterized by pronounced seasonal variations forced by surface heating/cooling and strong tidal mixing.