In/out-flow of coastal water in Vestfjorden

摘要

Hydrographic sections in Vestfjorden, Northern Norway, during winter1977 showed strong horizontal temperature gradients on thewest side of the fjord indicating an outflow of cold coastalwater. Analysis of sea thermograph records from the ship routecrossing the fjord between Stamsund and Bodø in the years back to1936 shows that this hydrographic structure is a permanentphenomenon in the wintertime. Mean temperatures along thethermograph section for February, March and April are presented.A method is suggested for the estimation of the residence time ofcoastal water in the fjord by using data from standard meteorologicalstations combined with the thermograph data and data from a fixedhydrographic station.