On the Nature of Temporal Variability of the Gulf Stream Path from 75° to 55°W

The response of the Gulf Stream (GS) system to atmospheric forcing is generally linked either to the basin-scale winds on the subtropical gyre or to the buoyancy forcing from the Labrador Sea. This study presents a multiscale synergistic perspective to describe the low-frequency response of the GS system. The authors identify dominant temporal variability in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), in known indices of the GS path, and in the observed GS latitudes along its path derived from sea surface height (SSH) contours over the period 1993-2013. The analysis suggests that the signature of interannual variability changes along the stream's path from 75 degrees to 55 degrees W. From its separation at Cape Hatteras to the west of 65 degrees W, the variability of the GS is mainly in the near-decadal (7-10 years) band, which is missing to the east of 60 degrees W, where a new interannual (4-5 years) band peaks. The latter peak (4-5 years) was missing to the west of 65 degrees W. The region between 65 degrees and 60 degrees W seems to be a transition region. A 2-3-yr secondary peak was pervasive in all time series, including that for the NAO. This multiscale response of the GS system is supported by results from a basin-scale North Atlantic model. The near-decadal response can be attributed to similar forcing periods in the NAO signal; however, the interannual variability of 4-5 years in the eastern segment of the GS path is as yet unexplained. More numerical and observational studies are warranted to understand such causality.

On the Nature of Temporal Variability of the Gulf Stream Path from 75° to 55°W

The response of the Gulf Stream (GS) system to atmospheric forcing is generally linked either to the basin-scale winds on the subtropical gyre or to the buoyancy forcing from the Labrador Sea. This study presents a multiscale synergistic perspective to describe the low-frequency response of the GS system. The authors identify dominant temporal variability in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), in known indices of the GS path, and in the observed GS latitudes along its path derived from sea surface height (SSH) contours over the period 1993-2013. The analysis suggests that the signature of interannual variability changes along the stream's path from 75 degrees to 55 degrees W. From its separation at Cape Hatteras to the west of 65 degrees W, the variability of the GS is mainly in the near-decadal (7-10 years) band, which is missing to the east of 60 degrees W, where a new interannual (4-5 years) band peaks. The latter peak (4-5 years) was missing to the west of 65 degrees W. The region between 65 degrees and 60 degrees W seems to be a transition region. A 2-3-yr secondary peak was pervasive in all time series, including that for the NAO. This multiscale response of the GS system is supported by results from a basin-scale North Atlantic model. The near-decadal response can be attributed to similar forcing periods in the NAO signal; however, the interannual variability of 4-5 years in the eastern segment of the GS path is as yet unexplained. More numerical and observational studies are warranted to understand such causality.

Tidal and wind influences on circulation in the southern mouth of the Ría de Vigo (NW Iberian Peninsula)

Tidal and wind influences on the velocity field in the Ría de Vigo were assessed using atmospheric data from two meteorological stations located at Bouzas port and on an oceanic buoy off Silleiro Cape along with oceanic data from an ADCP moored in the Ría for a 72-day period. A two-layer circulation pattern was observed. Near-surface and near-bottom currents are primarily influenced by wind (especially remote winds), separated by an intermediate layer dominated by tidal variability. At subtidal frequencies, residual currents are well correlated with wind variability. Remote wind forcing exhibited a markedly high correlation with surface layer currents, indicating the major role played by wind in the long-term upwelling-modulated circulation of the Ría.

Tidal and wind influences on circulation in the southern mouth of the Ría de Vigo (NW Iberian Peninsula)

Tidal and wind influences on the velocity field in the Ría de Vigo were assessed using atmospheric data from two meteorological stations located at Bouzas port and on an oceanic buoy off Silleiro Cape along with oceanic data from an ADCP moored in the Ría for a 72-day period. A two-layer circulation pattern was observed. Near-surface and near-bottom currents are primarily influenced by wind (especially remote winds), separated by an intermediate layer dominated by tidal variability. At subtidal frequencies, residual currents are well correlated with wind variability. Remote wind forcing exhibited a markedly high correlation with surface layer currents, indicating the major role played by wind in the long-term upwelling-modulated circulation of the Ría.