The limited heat capacity of the Southern North Sea

The Southern North Sea was immediately a very highly frequented section by naval forces and activities during the first few months of World War II, which increase the release the summer heat quickly,  by such events for example (see Chapter 2_14):

• 3-9 September 1939: Four U-boats drop magnetic mines in the estuaries of Orfordness, Flamborough, Hartlepool and the Downs drowning four vessels with a total of 16,000-tons and damaging one ship of 11,000-tons.
• 25 September – 23 October 1939: U-boat sea mines barrage with 3,636 mines is laid across the Strait of Dover (between Folkestone and Cap Gris Nez). After three U-boats were lost in October 1939, no further attempts were made by U-boats to reach the English Channel through the Strait of Dover.

It followed a very cold winter. But before that there was the intensive rain, an indication for a higher evaporation at sea due to naval war (see Chapter 2_31),

• Southeast England recorded rainfall of more than three times above average inOctober 1939. Greenwich saw a higher rainfall only in 1888, and before that in 1840.  Greenwich total for October (6.16 in.) and November (4.13 in.) together –10.29 inches – was the highest ever since recordinghad begun at Greenwich. Similar conditions had been observed at Camden Square (London), where hours of rainfall are recorded as follows: October 77.3 h.,  November 96.7 h. These were  50 hours higher than the average.

Until the end of the year the sea off the coast of South England looses about 8-9°C of the heat stored. Only a few degrees a couple of weeks earlier can make a big difference to other winters.

Chapter 2_16

Book Page: 75

File: 999_SNorthSea

Image: 2010/seaclimate.com