THERMAL REGIME OF THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE BLACK SEA

The spatio-temporal features of the surface water thermal regime of the northwestern part of the Black Sea, its bays and estuaries have been studied. Based on the long-term observations, the increase in the air and water temperatures was identified. Since 1894 the mean annual air temperature in Odesa city has increased by at least 2.5 degrees C. Also significant, but somewhat smaller (about 2.0 degrees C), is the increase in the water temperature. The July and August water temperature has the biggest increase. Water temperatures generally are higher than the air temperature, but this ratio is varying in value and sign for different seasons. In January-February, when it is the coldest, the water temperature is higher than the air temperature. In spring and summer, the air heats up faster than the water and it is warmer than water. In autumn and December, the sea water temperature usually is significantly higher than the air temperature. In spring and summer, the water temperatures in the bays and estuaries are higher than the water temperatures in the sea. In autumn and winter, it is the other way around. The dominance of the northwest and the north winds in the studied region is often induces the noticeable decrease in the water temperature near the coast. It was shown that even light winds have the impact on the spatial distribution of sea water temperature.