South Atlantic Current 
The South Atlantic Current, counterpart of the North Atlantic 
Current, appears to originate mainly from the Brazil Current and 
partly from the northernmost flow of the West Wind Drift west 
of 4O°W. Although surface data are limited, Table 13 shows the 
main features of the current during July and August in four 
specified regions shown in Figure 30. The current is under the 
influence of the prevailing westerly trade winds; the constancy 
and speed increase from the northern boundary to about 40°S, where 
the current converges with the West Wind Drift. Maximum speed in 
Regions A and B is about 1.5 knots and in Region C about 2.0 knots. 
REGION PREVAILING DIR. FREQUENCY MEAN SPEED TOTAL OBS. 
(See Fig. 30) Gr) (percent) (knots ) 
Insufficient datas; 30 of 34 observations show sets 
evenly distributed from 315° clockwise to 135°, with 
a resultant flow of O45° at a mean speed of 0.6 knot. 
Table 13 Directions and speeds during July and August 
The data for January and February show the greatest number of 
observations with predominant east sets and indicate the region of 
the South Atlantic Current to be mainly south of 30°S and between 
O° and about 30°W. During these months the region of variable or 
indeterminate flow between the Atlantic South Equatorial Current and 
the South Atlantic Current appears to widen and migrate southward. 
The major portion of the South Atlantic Current narrows and becomes more 
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