Geostrophic Circulation Patterns in the Northeastern Adriatic Sea and the Effects of Air-Sea Coupling: May-September 2003

CTD data were collected weekly during 20 cruises from May to September 2003 over a 19 station grid in a coastal region of the northeastern Adriatic Sea as part of Project ADRICOSM. Relative geostrophic velocities indicated fine scale circulation patterns in in the area consisting of two pronounced circulation cells, of cyclonic and anti-cyclonic character, and that were present in the area for most of the investigated period.. These motions were induced primarily by spatial variations in the temperature field and may be strengthened during episodes of very strong northeasterly bora wind, when the investigated region is not heated (cooled) uniformly