Seasonal Variation of Sea Surface Temperature in the Gulf of Guinea

Sea surface temperature is a fundamental oceanographic variable influencing marine productivity, weather patterns, and the distribution of commercially important fish species. This study examines the seasonal variation of sea surface temperature in the Gulf of Guinea, focusing on Nigeria's exclusive economic zone, using satellite-derived Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer data from 2019 to 2023. The study area encompasses offshore waters from the Lagos coast to the Calabar estuary, spanning the continental shelf and slope regions. Monthly composites of sea surface temperature are analysed to identify spatial patterns, upwelling events, and thermal fronts associated with the West African monsoon system and the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Statistical analyses include time series decomposition, anomaly mapping, and correlation with wind stress and chlorophyll-a concentration data obtained from MODIS satellite products. The study investigates the timing and intensity of the boreal summer cold tongue that characterises Gulf of Guinea oceanography, with particular attention to interannual variability linked to Atlantic Nino events. Results are expected to show clear seasonal cycles with minimum sea surface temperatures occurring between June and September, coinciding with peak upwelling. Findings have direct relevance to fisheries management, climate modelling, and marine spatial planning in Nigeria. The study recommends the institutionalisation of ocean monitoring programmes within the Nigerian Meteorological Agency. Keywords: sea surface temperature, Gulf of Guinea, upwelling, seasonal variability, satellite oceanography