Hydrographic and atmospheric analysis of an autumnal upwelling event in the Ria of Vigo (NW Iberian Peninsula)

Abstract

An autumnal upwelling event was observed in the Ria of Vigo (NW Iberian Peninsula) on 15th November 2001. This event was analyzed by means of thermohaline variables measured at CTD stations located in the study area, satellite sea surface temperature and wind data provided by QuikSCAT. Salinity and temperature distributions revealed that the upwelled water mass was Eastern North Atlantic Central Water (ENACW), typically observed during summer upwelling events. However, previous to the upwelling event, the characteristic autumnal body of water was recorded on 31st October 2001. Subsequent sea surface temperature and upwelling index corroborated the presence of an autumnal upwelling event of approximately 15 days duration. The probability of upwelling-favorable winds (from 1999 to 2004) was lower during autumn–winter than during spring–summer, although they may occur at any time of the year. Probabilities of ∼45% were calculated for February and November, with the highest probability (65%) corresponding to July.