Seasonal variations in the path of the Mediterranean outflow

Abstract

The Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) exits through the Strait of Gibraltar as a localized jet which extends far from the source region, following the slope of the Iberian Peninsula and into the Bay of Biscay. This work examines the principal features of the MOW in several locations along its path and how it changes throughout the different seasons. We use the MEDREA model to characterize the trajectories of the particles along the path of the MOW, with special attention to its core velocity and the diffusion characteristics west of Gibraltar. The results show the presence of a westward MOW flow all year long in the Gulf of Cadiz, extending poleward during summer along the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. However, the model results do not confirm the univocal arrival of the MOW to the Bay of Biscay.