Algorithm of automated recognition of oceanic temperature fronts

The recognition of fronts when describing the ocean’s circulation has been long appreciated. The advent of satellite oceanography led to developing methods for automated front detection using satellite composite SST data. In this work, we present an algorithm for front detection based on gradients-isotherms analysis. The algorithm detects a front as a sequence of isotherms having some special characteristics. This approach makes it possible to detect individual fronts (for instance, a slope water edge or the northern edge of the Gulf Stream) directly without preliminary detection of all the fronts in the system. The algorithm combines simplicity of implementation and high computational efficiency with good accuracy and high reliability.