Surface heat flux in the northern Gulf of California

Abstract

Recent coastal meteorological data (1979–1986) are used to evaluate the seasonal cycle of surface heat fluxes in the northern Gulf of California. Although net heat loss occurs from October to January, the annual mean of the net surface heat flux was found to be into the sea (69 W m−2 near the coast and 83 W m−2 offshore), with a mean evaporation rate ≃0.9 m yr−1. These results require an oceanic export of heat and salt out of the northern gulf to achieve a balance, and imply that the annual mean thermohaline circulation must have an inflowing component at depth, thus enriching the central and northern parts of the gulf. These results differ from previous meteorological estimates, which suggested a net surface heat loss, but confirm those based on hydrographic data.