BERING CUEEEKT 



Sparse available data indicate a general north-flowing current 

 through the eastern half of Bering Sea, through Bering Strait, and 

 In eastern Chukchi Sea. The current originates mainly from the 

 North Pacific Current, and its speed in the Bering Sea is estimated 

 to he usually 0.5 knot or less but at times as high as 1.0 knot. 



In Bering Strait current speeds frequently reach 2 knots; 

 however, in the eastern half of the strait currents are even 

 stronger and usually range between 1.0 and 2.5 knots. The vol\me 

 transport of the prevailing northward flow in the strait during 

 August was coit5)uted to be about 120 km3 per day. Strong southerly 

 winds may increase current speeds in the strait to 3 knots, and 

 up to k knots in the eastern part; persistent strong northerly 

 winds during autumn may cauBe the current to reverse for short 

 periods. During winter a southward flow at times may occur in 

 the western part of the strait. 



After flowing through Bering Strait, the ciirrent widens, and 

 part continues toward Point Barrow, where it turns northwest. 

 Table 2 shows prevailing directions and speeds at the surface and 

 near the bottom observed in August at 22 locations in the eastern 

 part of the shallow Chukchi Sea, where 31 current meter stations 

 were occupied. Along the Alaska coast, ciirrent speeds have been 

 observed to range between 0.1 and 1.5 knots and increase to 2.0 

 or 2.5 knots with southerly winds. In the western part of the 

 Chiikchi Sea, currents are considerably weaker and do not usually 

 exceed 0.5 knot. 



