The continuous monitoring carried out by the Physical Oceanography Department of the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) confirms that, although November did not set an absolute record, Yes, it did leave some notable temperature spikes and a final stretch of the month with values above what was expected for this time of year.
How and where was the sea temperature measured
To register the sea surface temperature In Mar del Plata, a high-precision SBE38 thermometer was used, installed at the Coastal Observation Station (EOC) of the Naval Hydrographic Service. This monitoring point is located at the Fishing Club Pier, a strategic location that allows for stable monitoring of water conditions near the coast.
The instrument took measurements at intervals of 5 minutes during the entire operating periodgenerating a very detailed database on how sea temperature changes throughout the day and weeks. This type of sampling frequency makes it easier to detect both daily and long-term variations. short episodes of heating or cooling associated with changes in wind, currents or atmospheric conditions.
To avoid errors and ensure that the figures accurately reflect reality, the observations were compared with additional weekly measurements at the North Breakwater dockThis double check allows for the correction of possible sensor malfunctions and verifies that the observed patterns are not the result of a temporary equipment failure.
Furthermore, the technicians compared the data with the average climatological value for November and with the Q1 and Q3 quartiles calculated from the historical series recorded at the Coastal Observation Station itself. Thanks to this comparison with the available history, it is possible to know if a month has been normal, warmer, or colder than usual.
During the first few days of the month, data acquisition was interrupted until the 13th due to system registration maintenance tasksOnce operations were restored, the series of uninterrupted measurements resumed until the end of November, which allowed for a fairly detailed characterization of the thermal behavior of the second half of the month.
Average temperature of 17,5 °C and a peak close to 20,5 °C
With the system now operational, records show that, in the second half of November, the The average sea surface temperature was 17,5 °CThis value is consistent with the region's spring transition, a time when the ocean begins to warm up more intensely after winter and the start of the austral spring.
Within that period, the sensor detected a relative maximum of 20,4 °C on the 27thThis coincides with a rise in air temperature in the coastal area of Mar del Plata. Increased solar radiation and more stable weather conditions often favor these episodes of near-surface warming, which are quickly reflected in EOC measurements.
Even so, that recorded maximum did not surpass the absolute record for November in the analyzed series, which reached 21,1 °C in a previous yearThis comparison with the known extreme value places November as a warm month in the second half, but below the most intense episode previously recorded for this time of year.
The temperature behavior was not uniform throughout the days: there were days when the sea remained cooler and others when the warming was more pronounced, associated with wind changes and specific atmospheric situationsThese variations are common in coastal areas, where the interaction between the sea and the atmosphere is very dynamic.
The combination of an average of 17,5 °C with peaks above 20 °C reflects an ocean already clearly in a transition phase towards typical southern summer conditionsThis has direct implications for human activity and for marine ecosystems that depend on this temperature range.
A final stretch of the month with values above normal
Detailed monitoring of the series allowed for the identification of a particularly striking period among the November 25 and 29During those days, the sea surface temperature remained at levels considered higher than normal for the region and time of year.
INIDEP technicians confirmed that the values recorded in that interval exceeded 25% of the highest temperatures of the historical series corresponding to November. That is, they were above the third quartile (Q3), which indicates that it was a relatively warm episode compared to the typical behavior of the month.
These types of events can be associated with various factors, such as persistent winds that favor the accumulation of warmer water In the coastal strip, the decrease in vertical mixing in the water column or the influence of water masses arriving from warmer regions are factors. Although a single episode is not enough to establish a trend, it is taken into account within the set of anomalies that accumulate in the series.
The fact that these values persisted for several consecutive days suggests that it was not just an isolated hourly peak, but a relatively stable situation. high temperatures for the end of springThese types of situations are of interest to both the scientific community and the fishing sector and recreational activities linked to the sea.
In the broader context of the Southwest Atlantic, episodes of this kind can contribute to modifying, even if only temporarily, the distribution of temperature-sensitive marine species, both planktonic organisms and fish and other coastal organisms that react quickly to thermal changes.
Importance of monitoring sea surface temperature
Having a continuous series of data sea temperature on the coast of Mar del Plata This isn't just an academic matter or a matter of meteorological curiosity. This information is a fundamental tool for understanding the state of the ocean and anticipating potential changes that could affect multiple sectors.
From an ecological point of view, surface temperature directly influences the dynamics of coastal marine ecosystemsMany organisms adjust their life cycle, reproduction, and migration based on thermal ranges, so sustained variations above or below normal values can alter the structure and functioning of marine communities.
For the fishing industry, knowing these records helps to interpret changes in the abundance and distribution of commercially important speciesCertain fisheries may be favored or harmed depending on how the temperature evolves on the continental shelf, so this data serves to support the planning and management of the resource.
In the field of climate, sea temperature is a key indicator for analysis regional-scale processessuch as the formation of fronts, upwelling events, or changes related to oceanic and atmospheric variability patterns. Integrated into broader observation networks, information from stations like the EOC contributes to improving models and forecasts.
Furthermore, these records are useful for other everyday uses: they help to contextualize phenomena such as marine heatwaves, red tide episodes or variations in bathing and recreational conditions on beaches, aspects that concern both residents and visitors during the peak tourist season.
All this data and analysis makes the Mar del Plata temperature series a reference for monitoring the Thermal evolution of the ocean in the coastal environmentproviding an objective basis on which to compare future changes and unique events.
With an average of 17,5 °C in the second half of November, peaks close to 20,5 °C, and several days with temperatures above the 25% highest in the historical record, the recent behavior of the sea in Mar del Plata illustrates how, even within a range considered normal, Thermal fluctuations are becoming relevant to science, fishing, and daily life in the region., reinforcing the need to maintain and expand this type of observation on the Atlantic coast.
