Tropical Pacific Drifting Buoys
M. S. Swenson / AOML, Miami
At the end of July, the number of drifting buoys reporting from the tropical Pacific was 122, of which 89%
had confirmed drogues for measurement of currents. The strong anomalous eastward currents that extended to
110W in June began to subside in July so that weak westward currents prevailed along the equator east of
170W at the end of the month. Significant westward currents still prevail west of 170E. 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 jul97.
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.