Current variability by wave propagation in Todos Santos Bay, Baja California

Abstract

The temperature, velocity, and sea level fields for a summer climatological month (August) were analyzed using tridimensional and baroclinic model outputs in Todos Santos Bay (TSB), Baja California, Mexico. The numerical model was forced with wind (nonstationary), heat flux, and California Current System climatology on the open boundary. The 3- to 5-day current variability is related to a baroclinic wave traveling towards the northwest of the bay. Wave travel periodicity was due to the release of accumulated water from the Ensenada–Punta Banda Estuary (E–PBE) region. Local wind stress causes southeastward water flow and, given the TSB geometry, water accumulates in the E–PBE region. Weakening wind stress was the main cause of water release. In addition, complex empirical ortogonal function analysis found that outer TSB disturbances cause sea level variability.