Sea surface temperature (SST) is the temperature of the ocean’s uppermost layer, typically measured within the top millimeter to several meters, depending on instrumentation and protocol. It is a fundamental variable in physical oceanography and climate science, governing air–sea heat fluxes, evaporation, and the development of atmospheric circulation patterns. SST strongly influences ocean stratification, mixed-layer dynamics, and the formation of phenomena such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation. It is observed using in situ sensors (buoys, ships, Argo floats) and satellite radiometers, with careful corrections for skin versus bulk temperature, diurnal warming, and instrumental biases to support climate monitoring and coupled model validation.
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