On the summer poleward coastal current off SW México

Abstract

For the first time on the basis of direct observations (June 2003 and June 2005), the characteristics of the summer‐time coastal poleward current off SW Mexico are reported. Only the surface evidence of this coastal current has previously been described, from ship drift compilations. In June 2003 the current was 90–180 km wide, 400 m deep, with speed ∼0.3 ms −1 and transport ∼4 Sv (1 Sv = 10 6 m 3 s −1 ). In June 2005, its width was ∼90 km, it was 250–300 m deep, with mean speed ∼0.15 m s −1 and transport ∼2.5 Sv. California Current water (CCW) and equatorward flow were found further offshore. Mesoscale eddies significantly affected the coastal current, and transported CCW into the coastal zone.