Similarity and Difference in Interannual Sea Level Variations Between the Mid‐Atlantic Bight and the Nova Scotia Coast

Abstract

AbstractPrevious studies have identified coherent interannual sea level variations along the northwestern Atlantic coasts from New York to Nova Scotia and speculated on possible large‐scale forcing factors such as variations in the Gulf Stream strength and alongshore winds. Here we combine in situ measurements, satellite observations, and oceanic and atmospheric reanalysis data to examine interannual sea level variations during 1993–2012 along the Mid‐Atlantic Bight and the Nova Scotia coast and to provide quantitative analyses of individual factors contributing to the interannual sea level variations. The present study shows not only spatial correlation of the sea level variations but also similarity and difference in their contributing factors in the two areas. The interannual sea level variations along the Nova Scotia coast and the Mid‐Atlantic Bight are mainly (41% and 52%) from the steric effect associated with the temperature and salinity changes, and to a less extent (33% and 31%) from the inverse barometric effect. However, the coastal sea level anomalies are significantly correlated with the Gulf Stream strength along the Mid‐Atlantic Bight only, with correlation coefficient of 0.64, while the correlation with alongshore winds is significant along the Nova Scotia coast only.