Characterization of Tidal Currents in Monterey Bay from Remote and In-situ Measurements
Characterization of Tidal Currents in Monterey Bay from Remote and In-situ Measurements

Author: Emil T. Petruncio

Publisher:

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 124

ISBN-13:

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A first order description of tidal heights and currents in Monterey Bay is provided. Analysis of sea level records indicate that a mixed, predominantly semidiurnal tide nearly co-oscillates within the bay. Analysis of month-long moored ADCP records obtained in the winter and summer of 1992 reveals that tidal-band currents account for approximately 50 percent of the total current variance in the upper ocean (20-200 m). A relatively strong (7 cm/s) fortnightly tide (MSf) is present in both seasons. Considerable rotation of the semidiurnal ellipse orientations occurs with depth during both seasons. A month- long record of surface current measurements obtained with CODAR, an HF radar system, during September 1992 reveals that the Monterey Submarine Canyon clearly influences the strength and direction of semidiurnal (M2) tidal currents. Good agreement exists between the strength and orientation of ADCP- and CODAR-derived tidal ellipses, with the exception of the constituent K1. Large, spatially uniform K1 surface currents (20-30 cm/s) appear to be the result of diurnal sea breeze forcing.

Factors Influencing the Structure of the Monterey Bay Sea Breeze
Factors Influencing the Structure of the Monterey Bay Sea Breeze

Author: Emily M. Duvall

Publisher:

Published: 2004-03-01

Total Pages: 77

ISBN-13: 9781423514848

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The sea breeze is a thermally induced circulation that arises along essentially every coastline. However, the Monterey Bay circulation associated with the sea breeze varies day to day because of the influence of features such as inversions, clouds, synoptic-scale flow, and topography. Understanding the sea breeze is important because it impacts fire weather, air pollution, agriculture, and aviation operations, among other things. Analyses are conducted using a multi-quadric based program to investigate the Monterey Bay sea breeze during 01-31 August 2003. This program incorporates aircraft data, surface observations, and profiler data. Outputs from the analysis program are plotted in VISUAL to characterize the structure of the sea breeze. Factors including inversions, cloud cover, amount of heating, distribution of heating, synoptic- scale flow, and topography are studied to determine their influence on the sea breeze. Six days are presented in this thesis that best illustrate the factors that influence the structure of the Monterey Bay sea breeze. Results show that offshore flow weakened the strength of the sea breeze and decreased the depth, as expected. A cooling trend in surface temperatures at the end of the month also weakened the strength of the sea breezes and decreased the depth. Clouds are present during this period, which influenced the amount of heating, and consequently, the sea breeze response. The presence of a marine layer weakened the thermal gradient that in turn, weakened the sea breeze circulation.

Coastal Meteorology
Coastal Meteorology

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1992-02-01

Total Pages: 112

ISBN-13: 0309046874

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Almost half the U.S. population lives along the coast. In another 20 years this population is expected to more than double in size. The unique weather and climate of the coastal zone, circulating pollutants, altering storms, changing temperature, and moving coastal currents affect air pollution and disaster preparedness, ocean pollution, and safeguarding near-shore ecosystems. Activities in commerce, industry, transportation, freshwater supply, safety, recreation, and national defense also are affected. The research community engaged in studies of coastal meteorology in recent years has made significant advancements in describing and predicting atmospheric properties along coasts. Coastal Meteorology reviews this progress and recommends research that would increase the value and application of what is known today.