FY 1985

Oceanographic observations off the Pacific Northwest following the 1982 El Niño event

Reed, R.K.

Mar. Fish. Rev., 46(1), 7–12 (1984)

The evolution of sea surface temperature anomalies off the Pacific Northwest during the 1982-83 El Niño seems to be in general agreement with their formation through poleward advection by a long wave. Oceanographic observations in May 1983 indicated significant positive thermal anomalies above 500 m; salinity anomalies showed a reversal in sign which implied both sinking of upper water and northward advection. Geostrophic flow along 47°N revealed no evidence of the California Undercurrent.