Cyclonic eddies in the West Greenland Boundary Current System

Abstract The boundary current system in the Labrador Sea plays an integral role modulating convection interior basin. Four years of mooring data from eastern reveal persistent mesoscale variability West Greenland current. Between 2014 and 2018, 197 mid-depth intensified cyclones were identified that passed array near 2000 m isobath. In this study, we quantify these features show they are downstream manifestation Denmark Strait Overflow Water (DSOW) cyclones. A composite cyclone is constructed revealing average radius 9 km, maximum azimuthal speed 24 cm/s, a core propagation velocity 27 cm/s. significantly smaller than upstream Strait, allowing them to trap more water. transport 200-m thick lens dense water at bottom column, increase DSOW by 17% relative background flow. Only portion generated make it Sea, implying remainder shed into Irminger retroflected Cape Farewell, or dissipate. synoptic shipboard survey east conducted summer 2020, captured two which further light on their structure timing. This first time have been observed Sea—a discovery could important implications for stratification.