The range in summer SST is on the order of 7°C with northern segments of the ecosystem averaging 14°C in summer versus 21°C in the Middle Atlantic Bight. The Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank and Southern New England area have experienced a slight cooling trend in recent years, a trend not evidenced in the Middle Atlantic Bight. Fall period SSTs have increased slightly in the Gulf of Maine and on Georges Bank, whereas there is no obvious trend in the southern subregions. The early winter period, which is partitioned in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank, was cooler than average in 2007.