Complex empirical orthogonal function analysis of thermistor chain data near a shelf-slope front

Abstract

A complex empirical orthogonal function analysis (i.e. in the frequency domain) is used to examine the thermistor chain data acquired near the New England shelf-slope front during SEEP—I. The analysis is carried out for both the winter and summer period over five frequency bands, designated as low frequency, synoptic, diurnal, inertial and semidiurnal. Statistically significant modes are isolated and subjected to physical interpretations. More notable results include the suggestion of baroclinic instability for the low-frequency signal and the generation of standing frontal waves at semidiurnal frequency during the winter period.