Wind stress is an important factor in determining the transfer of heat between the ocean and atmosphere. Kathie and her colleagues are working with an eight-year record of the currents. These records show changes in some of the major currents, including a change in the heat content of the Kuroshio Extension, a warm-water current off of the coast of Japan. It is unclear what is causing these changes and whether it is a cyclical event or represents a long-term trend. The larger question is how changes in sea surface temperature affect the atmosphere, particularly surrounding the major currents.
Some studies suggest that it is very important, but others suggest that the effect is small.
Kathie s studies of the factors affecting sea surface temperature will contribute to answering this question.