Tidally-induced submesoscale features in the atlantic jet and Western Alboran Gyre. A study based on HF radar and satellite images

Abstract An analysis is presented of the submesoscale tidally-induced anticyclonic eddies formed at eastern mouth Strait Gibraltar and their role in explaining mesoscale features Atlantic Jet – Western Alboran Gyre (AJ-WAG) system. These have been identified for first time using an observational approach based on High Frequency Radar (HFR) derived surface currents which has complemented with Sea Surface Temperature (SST) satellite images. It found that major source positive vorticity to AJ provided by its interaction these turn help maintain water feeding upper branch WAG. This new maintaining WAG added others previously recognized other authors supply negative provide whole In addition, may contribute destabilization AJ-WAG system when strong persistent easterly winds coincide periods high tidal current amplitude. cases, meteorological forcing produces a weak southward deflected almost disconnected from displaced eastward The being flattened overdeveloped North Cyclonic (NWCG) be favored action mentioned eddies.