Abstract

Between December 2001 and February 2002, NOAA-AVHRR images were obtained twice a day for the region between 30-40S and 70-80W. Within the cloud free areas, sea surface temperature was calculated according to standard split window algorithms. The geo-referenced horizontal resolution for each SST-pixel resulted in 2 km, in east-west and north-south direction. All pairs of images were analyzed with respect to advective surface velocity by means of Maximum Cross-Correlation. Maximum Cross-Correlations exceeding the predetermined significance level of cross correlation were accepted. From all pairs of comparison monthly advective velocity maps (and SST maps) were constructed and separated in a coastal and offshore band. Coastal upwelling was observed along the coast of central Chile in all three months via the SST maps. Onshore-offshore transports were towards the west in December, rotated northwest in January and towards the north in February. These results are explained by an increased advection of suptropical surface water towards the coast in January and February