Trends of atmospheric and seawater temperature in the German Bight

In the tidal inlet between the East Frisian islands of Langeoog and Spiekeroog, southern North Sea, a hydrographic station was set up in autumn 2002 as part of the research programme BioGeoChemistry of Tidal Flats run by the University of Oldenburg. Hydrographic data collected under specific meteorological conditions such as gales and storm surges exemplify the all-weather capabilities of the station and its value for studying hydrographic processes in the Wadden Sea. Measurements of air and water temperature as well as sea-water salinity covering a period of more than six years demonstrate the multiyear dynamics of these parameters. The time-series obtained in the East Frisian Wadden Sea are compared with data for the entire North Sea, and with predictions on regional climate change derived from numerical models.