Coldest water temperatures in the EBS

[sean-rohan-NOAA]

@EmilyMarkowitz-NOAA One suggestion for the EBS survey temperature map. I would recommend either truncating the lower end of the temperature scale at -2 or having the lowest bin be <= -1.

We generally should not see temperatures lower than that because the freezing point of sea water at 35 PSU is approximately -1.94 and we don't see salinity that high or temperatures that low. There are a few records of bottom temperature < -2 in our database from 1974 and 1994. However, those are probably attributable to measurement error due to the equipment being used at the time.

[EmilyMarkowitz-NOAA]

Sure, and it's easy to change. I'll check in with @Duane-Stevenson-NOAA to see if he has a preference.

[sean-rohan-NOAA]

@EmilyMarkowitz-NOAA @ChrisAnderson-NOAA Figured this is worth bumping. Looked at the temperature map today and noticed the lowest value is still <= -2 which seems implausible during summer.

[EmilyMarkowitz-NOAA]

Thanks for bumping this. We never heard back from Duane and I forgot to circle back. Without hearing Duane's thoughts, I don't think we can change the color scheme ramp and the temperatures represented at each point across the ramp (we've received a lot of pushback for any changes to the colors, as you know) but I think it is safe to remove the last box in the legend if it concerns you. I don't like making changes mid-season to these, but I'll rerun these with the change and see if comms minds.

[Duane-Stevenson-NOAA]

I agree with Sean that those <-2 temps are very unlikely in the summer. However, that doesn't mean that we're misrepresenting the data in any way. That extra-low temp category shouldn't affect anyone's interpretation of our maps. However, as irrational as it may seem, I could envision someone getting upset with our perceived truncation of the coldest end of the spectrum if we deleted that category, and interpreting it as yet another attempt to make the Bering Sea water temps fit the "global warming narrative". I would have never considered such a creative interpretation before the great color spectrum uproar, but I think now that it's quite possible that someone would interpret that move as more evidence of a biased agenda in the data presentation. I think we should leave it, at least for now. If the comms folks feel differently, then I suppose we can try it. They are more in touch with this audience than we are. Duane

[EmilyMarkowitz-NOAA]

Thanks for your thoughts and sounds like a good plan, @Duane-Stevenson-NOAA. Those are my concerns, too. I can send them an example image to start the conversation and hear their thoughts, but won't change anything for the official image runs. Maybe this is a change we can introduce in future runs if we don't do it this year.