Direct Measurements of Deep Flow in the California Current System

Deep currents (~1000 m) have been directly observed off the coast of Central California during the past decade using both current meters, RAFOS floats, and acoustically tracked dropsondes. Current meter measurements are dominated by tidal and intertial period motions, and, at lower frequencies, monthly variability; yearly mean flows were poleward but vary widely from year to year and location. RAFOS float measurements show both westward and northward transport, with the former dominated by anticyclonic looping motion. Trajectory for RAFOS float 86.