Strong correlations were observed among subtidal longshelf currents from the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) to the Georges Bank region, a distance spanning 615 km. The longshelf current consisted predominantly of wind-forced motions and freely propagating events, which together accounted for 75%–90% of the longshelf current energy. Much stronger longshelf currents were observed in the MAB than on Georges Bank. The MAB/Georges Bank energy ratio for wind-forced currents on the 60 m isobath was 20. The ratio for freely propagating events was 3. The magnitudes of many of the terms in the vertically integrated wind-driven momentum equations were estimated from observations of current, pressure and surface stress, and from calculations of bottom stress. The cross-shelf momentum balance was geostrophic. Surface and bottom stress, the longshelf pressure gradient, and the Coriolis force on the cross-shelf flow were important terms in the longshelf momentum balance. An analytic model of wind-forced current, w... Abstract Strong correlations were observed among subtidal longshelf currents from the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) to the Georges Bank region, a distance spanning 615 km. The longshelf current consisted predominantly of wind-forced motions and freely propagating events, which together accounted for 75%–90% of the longshelf current energy. Much stronger longshelf currents were observed in the MAB than on Georges Bank. The MAB/Georges Bank energy ratio for wind-forced currents on the 60 m isobath was 20. The ratio for freely propagating events was 3. The magnitudes of many of the terms in the vertically integrated wind-driven momentum equations were estimated from observations of current, pressure and surface stress, and from calculations of bottom stress. The cross-shelf momentum balance was geostrophic. Surface and bottom stress, the longshelf pressure gradient, and the Coriolis force on the cross-shelf flow were important terms in the longshelf momentum balance. An analytic model of wind-forced current, w...