Spatio‐temporal Upwelling Trends along the Canary Upwelling System (1967–2006)

Abstract

Spatio-temporal trends in upwelling patterns were studied along the Canary Upwelling System for the period 1967-2006. The northwestern coast of African from lat 20 degrees N to 32 degrees N is observed to be under a permanent upwelling regime characterized by coastal sea surface temperatures (SST) colder than the oceanic ones at the same latitude. The temperature difference is termed the temperature upwelling index (UI(SST)). This regime is consistent with the wind-derived Ekman transport (UI(W)), which is observed near the coast and is directed offshore. This index shows the existence of upwelling-favorable conditions all year but has an annual cycle characterized by more upwelling-favorable conditions from April to September, with a maximum in July, and less upwelling-favorable conditions from October to March, with a minimum in December to January. Although both indices can be used to characterize the phenomenon, only UI(W) values were used to quantify upwelling change during the four decades under review because this index is less sensitive to external factors compared to UI(SST). A strong decrease in upwelling intensity has been observed in all seasons. In particular, the summer (winter) decrease is on the order of 45% (20%) of the mean amplitude of the upwelling cycle.