Paper 14 



east of the end of the transect. The fall overturn had mixed 

 away all thermal stratification over the shelf. The water column 

 was nearly isothermal/ ranging from 11C on the shelf to 14C just 

 off the shel-f. 



December- The USCGC Bjbb 76-11 (Fig. 14.18) crossed through the 

 area during 4-5 December. The SST's ranged from <9C to >20C. 

 The cold cell had eroded away with the overturn and the Shelf 

 Waters were isothermal^ ranging from ICC on the inner shelf to 

 12C on the outer shelf. The Shelf Water/Slope Water front was 

 evident between stations 29 and 28 (+55 km) with a fairly strong 

 thermal front. The north wall of the Gulf Stream was crossed at 

 station 13 (+450 km). This distance is overly large because the 

 transect paralleled the continental shelf. 



The USCGC Gallatin 76-12 (Fig. 14.19) crossed through the area on 

 21 December. The SST's ranged from >7C to <16C. The Shelf 

 Waters were isothermal^ ranging from 9C to 11C (onshore to 

 offshore). The Shelf Water/Slope Water front was crossed between 

 stations 4 and 5 C-1G km)x and had a strong thermal signature. 



SUMMARY 



Water temperatures in the Miodle Atlantic Bight in 1976 generally 

 followed normal trends for most of the year. However^ two 

 anomalous conditions arose during late winter and early spring. 

 During late winter the SST's averaged about 0.5C warmer than 

 usual. During spring the nearshore surface salinities were 

 greatly reduced. Sometimes these reduced surface salinities 

 extended beyond the Shelf Water/Slope Water front with values of 

 <22 o/oo. 



A combination of the high river discharge in spring coupled with 

 slightly increased surface temperatures led to earlier than usual 

 stratification in the nearshore zone. 



The offshore waters (at the shelf break and beyond) followed the 

 normal trends of warming and cooling in both intensity and 

 duration. Even the passage of hurricane Belle did little to 

 interrupt the normal seasonal warming. 



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