Annual Variations of Sea Surface Elevation and Currents over the Scotian Shelf and Slope

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Abstract
TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) altimeter data over the period 1992–98 have been analyzed to examine annual variability of sea surface elevation and currents over the Scotian Shelf and Slope. A modified orthogonal response analysis is used to derive the annual cycle while simultaneously removing the residual tides and other dynamical processes at the appropriate T/P alias periods. An evaluation of the M2 and K1 alias variations is carried out, suggesting notable tidal correction errors off Cape Cod and over Georges Bank. The along-track sea surface slopes, which represent surface geostrophic current components normal to the track, are estimated on selected T/P ascending and descending ground tracks. The annual altimetric sea level harmonic is compared with steric height anomalies and wind-driven setup. The comparison indicates that the altimetric sea surface elevation variability is dominated by the baroclinic (and associated barotropic) component and supplemented by the wind-driven and remotely forced comp... Abstract TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) altimeter data over the period 1992–98 have been analyzed to examine annual variability of sea surface elevation and currents over the Scotian Shelf and Slope. A modified orthogonal response analysis is used to derive the annual cycle while simultaneously removing the residual tides and other dynamical processes at the appropriate T/P alias periods. An evaluation of the M2 and K1 alias variations is carried out, suggesting notable tidal correction errors off Cape Cod and over Georges Bank. The along-track sea surface slopes, which represent surface geostrophic current components normal to the track, are estimated on selected T/P ascending and descending ground tracks. The annual altimetric sea level harmonic is compared with steric height anomalies and wind-driven setup. The comparison indicates that the altimetric sea surface elevation variability is dominated by the baroclinic (and associated barotropic) component and supplemented by the wind-driven and remotely forced comp...

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