The magnitude of seasonal AT variability (Figure 3),
computed by differencing the maximum and minimum
monthly mean AT values in each 1 latitude 1 longitude
grid cell, is directly proportional to the seasonal variations in
salinity. Seasonal AT variations are generally larger in the
(Sub)tropics than in the higher-latitude oceans. In particular,
larger amplitudes of seasonal variability are observed in areas
where freshwater inputs through rivers (e.g., near the Amazon
River and the Bay of Bengal) and the melting of ice (e.g.,
near sea-ice edges) are significant, or where tropical upwelling
occurs.