northward through the early part of February and then to become 



variable as it begins to turn^ as indicated by the distribution of 



east and south flows totaling about 36 percent. From March 



through September the strong southward flow is an extension of the 



California Current; percent frequencies are higher and speeds are 



stronger than in region B. The tabulated data indicate that part 



of the south-setting California Current is also observed throughout 



both regions during winter. 



The pronounced northward flow in winter coincides with the 



winds in the vicinity of ^CU^ which predominate from southeast 



through southwest only during December and January; they prevail 



from northwest and north-northwest in all other months. Table 5 



shows the winds which can influence the current off the west coast 



of the United States in December. The more frequent south and 



southeast winds in region A will increase the constancy of the 



north-setting current, whereas the more frequent northwest and north 



winds in region B will cause the current to be more variable, 

 y 



Drift bottles were released off the coast between 42° and 

 46°W between June 1959 and October 1963* The results generally 

 agree with the surface drift data in Table k; over TO percent of the 

 returns were from bottles released within kO miles of shore, and 

 the northward flow was apparent during November through February in 

 all years. 



Direct surface current measurements during March have indicated 

 a southeast flow within 30 miles of shore in the vicinity of 

 36°30'N, 122°15'W; in this region subsurface drogue measurements at 



20 



