Abstract
Abstract The Catalina eddy that existed from 5 July to 12 July 1987 during FIRE (First ISSCP Regional Experiment) over offshore California is analyzed. There were two stages to the eddy's lifecycle. During the first, from 5 July to 1200 UTC 9 July, the eddy formed just south of Santa Barbara and drifted southeastward parallel to the coastline. This motion is attributed to an equivalent β effect associated with gradients of marine layer depth perpendicular to the coast. The eddy's thermal structure was characterized by an elevated marine inversion with surface temperatures 2°–4°C higher than beyond the periphery. Over offshore regions a sharp edge to the eddy was noted with a sudden change in mixed layer depth, wind speed and direction, and temperature. The eddy's influence on coastal winds was most notable during the nighttime and early morning. The strong local sea-breeze circulation overwhelmed the coastal eddy circulation during daytime. A pronounced diurnal wind fluctuation was observed at San Nicolas...
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