Observations of an Oceanic Frontal System East of Malta in May 1971 (May Frost).

Abstract : Some preliminary results are presented from a study of an oceanic front east of Malta that was made in May 1971 using both a ship and an airborne radiation thermometer (ART). During the first nine days of the investigation a major frontal system was located extending southwards approximately along 15 degrees 20 minutes E from the southern part of Sicily to 35 degrees 30 minutes N, at which latitude it curved eastwards, probably due to intruding low-salinity surface-water from the Atlantic. During the second nine days of the cruise the frontal structure and dynamics were studied in detail along latitude 36 degrees N. The temperature structure and the water masses characteristics are described, as well as the response of the front to a sudden increase of the wind speed. (Author)