Tropical Pacific Drifting Buoys
M. S. Swenson / AOML, Miami
At the end of August, the number of drifting buoys reporting from the tropical Pacific was 123, of which 79%
had confirmed drogues for measurement of currents. Significant eastward currents still prevail west of 160E,
while westward currents have developed east of 160W to establish a convergence at 160W. SST anomalies (SSTA)
at the end of the month are warm (>1.5 C) on the equator, with strong positive SSTAs of greater than 3 C
east of 110W.
Movements of drifting buoys in the tropical Pacific Ocean during aug97.
The linear segments of each trajectory represent a two week displacement.
Red paths show buoys drogued to 15-m depth; blue paths show undrogued buoys.