The relationship between the distribution of sea surface temperature(SST) and dinoflagellate(Cochlodinium polykrikoides) bloom areas were studied. The SST data were derived from the infrared channels of AVHRR(Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) sensor on NOAA(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) 12 and 14 satellites during 1995-1998. The initial water temperature at C. polykrikoides bloom was about 21${circ}C$ at the coastal areas of the South Sea and along the shore of the East Sea of Korea during the summer season of 1995. The northern limit of red tides was coincident with that of 21${circ}C$ isothermal line in the East Sea. The red tides that initially bloomed at the coast of Pohang on September 21, 1995 moved to the coast of Uljin on September 26, 1995. The skipped appearance of the red tides in the areas between Pohang and Uljin was due to the East Korean Warm Current, which was moving offshore from Pohang to approach to Uljin. The cold water which was formed by tidal front in the western coast of the South Sea and by upwelling water from deep layer in the southeastern coast of the Korean peninsula played a role in blocking the spreading of red tides during summer season in 1997 and 1998. In conclusion, the distribution of red tides appeared to be dependent on the initial water temperature at red tides bloom. The SST at the red tides varied from 21${circ}C$ to 25${circ}C$; 21${circ}C$, 23${circ}C$, 24 and 24-25${circ}C$ in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.