Seasonal variations in the Atlantic inflow to the Nordic seas

Abstract

A repeat section between 64°40' N on the prime meridian and 62° 30' N off the Norwegian coast was operated monthly during 1990 and 1991. The sections were worked by the Weather Ship "Polarfront" on return voyages from Ocean Weather Station "M". Estimates of volume and heat transport have been worked out, based on computations of geostrophic current, referred to 1000 m depth. The obtained volume transports range from 2.4 Sv to 7.9 Sv while heat transports fluctuate between 49 · 10^12 W and 251 · 10^12 W. There are clear indications of higher transports during winter than during summer, although large variations occur between consequtive sections.