Gulf of Maine Daily Sea Surface Temperature
Data, Graphs, and Maps
Grades9, 10, 11, 12, APBiology, Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by University of Maine Climate Office
What it is
- This interactive graph and colorful map provide data about the daily sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Maine since 1981 and the current sea surface temperatures throughout the Atlantic Ocean.
- Students can hover over the graph to get detailed information for specific dates and the graph and supporting data can be downloaded in a variety of formats.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The data in the graph is specific to the Gulf of Maine and allows students to explore temperature differences throughout the year and between years.
- Useful information about the data and its presentation is provided below the map, along with additional links.
Additional Prerequisites
- The data for each year can be hovered over to highlight that year's temperatures, but if you click on that year, it will disappear in the chart. This allows you to deselect years you do not wish to view.
Differentiation
- This resource could supplement a lesson on the basics of climate change and how humans are causing it.
- This resource could augment a classroom discussion on how increases in saltwater temperatures are impacting marine ecosystems.
- This resource could be used to create free-response questions on how humans could reduce sea surface temperatures around the world.
- Have math students download the data and then create graphs that compare average annual sea surface temperatures between years or monthly average sea surface temperatures from the most recent year to 1981.
From the scientist review
This resource from the Maine Climate Office shows daily sea surface temperatures (SST) in the Gulf of Maine and current sea surface temperatures in the Western Hemisphere. Students can select years of interest on the line graph and view the 1982-2011 daily mean ±2σ. Hovering over a point on the chart provides the SST for the day and year selected. This resource features clear, colorful figures which are easily searchable and all data and figures are available for download. This resource is recommended for teaching.
How we review resourcesReady to use it?
Hosted on mco.umaine.edu
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
