National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
United States Department of Commerce

Pacific Ocean

Saildrone Observe Atmospheric Cold Pools in hard to reach areas of the tropical Pacific

Atmospheric cold pools over the tropical oceans produce large changes in air temperature and wind speed in the planetary boundary layer. But how they affect the larger atmospheric circulation is not clear. Cold pools are pockets of air cooler than the surrounding environment that form when rain evaporates under thunderstorms.

Orange drone with sail in open water in front of some bluffs and coastal city  in the distance

Saildrone uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), like the one pictured here, made measurements of atmospheric cold pools in remote regions of the tropical Pacific. Credit: Saildrone, Inc.

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