Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1119
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1119
21 Oct 2022
 | 21 Oct 2022

Response of the sea surface temperature to heatwaves during the France 2022 meteorological summer

Thibault Guinaldo, Stéphane Saux Picart, and Hervé Roquet

Abstract. Summer 2022 was memorable and record-breaking, ranking as the second hottest summer in France since the beginning of the measurements, with a seasonal average of 22.7 °C. In particular, France experienced multiple record-breaking heat waves. As the main heat sink of the Earth system, the oceans are at the forefront of events of this magnitude, which enhance oceanic disturbances such as marine heat waves. In this study, we investigated French maritime basins sea surface temperature to determine the ability of satellite measurements to track the response of surface waters to these events. Despite some gaps in data availability, we showed that during the meteorological summer of 2022, the mean sea surface temperature was between 1.3 °C and 2.6 °C above the long-term average (1982–2011). A focus on the heat wave from 31 July to 13 August was carried out and showed a significant sea surface temperature response to the heat wave with maximum temperatures measured locally at 30.8 °C in the North-western Mediterranean sea. Beyond the response to intense surface air temperatures, the contribution of other atmospheric variables was not negligible. Thus, we have shown that France experienced an August with above-average surface solar radiation correlated with below-average total cloud cover and anomalies in the distribution and intensity of wind speeds. The response to these different contributions depends on the hydrodynamic conditions, in particular the tides that ensure turbulent mixing. This is why the response is more pronounced in the Mediterranean, where the absence of dynamic mixing (below-average surface wind speed) is associated with an absence of tides. Our results were in line with previous studies and we confirmed here that even if the Mediterranean is a climate change hotspot, all maritime front are affected by a warming of surface waters. Our study therefore demonstrated the need for an efficient and sustainable operational system combining polar orbiting and geostationary satellites to prevent the alterations that threaten the oceans in the context of climate change.

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

12 May 2023
| Highlight paper
Response of the sea surface temperature to heatwaves during the France 2022 meteorological summer
Thibault Guinaldo, Aurore Voldoire, Robin Waldman, Stéphane Saux Picart, and Hervé Roquet
Ocean Sci., 19, 629–647, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-629-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-629-2023, 2023
Short summary Co-editor-in-chief

Thibault Guinaldo et al.

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1119', Anonymous Referee #1, 24 Oct 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Thibault Guinaldo, 13 Mar 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1119', Anonymous Referee #2, 28 Nov 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Thibault Guinaldo, 13 Mar 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1119', Anonymous Referee #1, 24 Oct 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Thibault Guinaldo, 13 Mar 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1119', Anonymous Referee #2, 28 Nov 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Thibault Guinaldo, 13 Mar 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Thibault Guinaldo on behalf of the Authors (13 Mar 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes 
EF by Polina Shvedko (14 Mar 2023)  Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (16 Mar 2023) by Aida Alvera-Azcárate
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (20 Mar 2023)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (30 Mar 2023) by Aida Alvera-Azcárate
AR by Thibault Guinaldo on behalf of the Authors (31 Mar 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (07 Apr 2023) by Aida Alvera-Azcárate
AR by Thibault Guinaldo on behalf of the Authors (12 Apr 2023)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

12 May 2023
| Highlight paper
Response of the sea surface temperature to heatwaves during the France 2022 meteorological summer
Thibault Guinaldo, Aurore Voldoire, Robin Waldman, Stéphane Saux Picart, and Hervé Roquet
Ocean Sci., 19, 629–647, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-629-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-629-2023, 2023
Short summary Co-editor-in-chief

Thibault Guinaldo et al.

Data sets

Operational SST OSI-SAF L3C OSI SAF https://osi-saf.eumetsat.int/products/osi-201-b

Thibault Guinaldo et al.

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Summer 2022 was memorable and record-breaking in much of Europe - for example heatwaves in France. This paper discusses marine heatwaves in the Mediterranean and northeastern Atlantic Ocean and their importance for European climate. It investigates the causes of increased sea surface temperature during summer 2022 for the seas around France through assessing the different atmospheric fluxes determining the upper ocean heat budget. It highlights the need for continuous monitoring of the ocean surface in order to assess the impact of these marine heatwave events.
Short summary
France experienced a record-breaking summer in 2022 with several heatwave events exceptional both in terms of intensity and persistence. This study is the first to look back at the events of the summer of 2022 and the responses of the sea surface temperatures using spatial operational data. This study advocates for a continuity in the development efforts in spatial oceanography to provide operational centres with the necessary tools to tackle climate changes consequences.