A Numerical Modeling Study of the Upwelling Source Waters along the Oregon Coast during 2005

Year 2005 was an anomalous year in terms of the spring transition (and hence the start of the upwelling season), which occurred over one month later than average, and of the temperature, which was ~6°C above the average. Here we study numerically the source of the upwelling waters along the Oregon coast during 2005. The model presents a spring transition and a near-shore temperature anomaly similar to those reported in the literature, and comparisons with observations show that the model reproduces most of the features observed in the sea level and velocity. The contribution to central Oregon alongshore velocity and sea level variability from remote forcing, south of the model's southern boundary, is explored using coastal-trapped wave theory. Preliminary lagrangian analysis of the path of upwelling source waters shows that part of the water parcels come from northern locations beyond the model's northern boundary, from depths below 200 m.