Variations of coastal currents and water temperature at the northern Peru during El Ni&ntilde o 2015-2016

Abstract

Temperature and currents observed by mooring a thermistor chain and an ADCP at a platform (4º26.863’S, 81º 20.148’W) to monitor movements of the Equatorial Front along the northern Peruvian coast from December 6, 2014 to May 27, 2016. The temperature varied with a range of 17-25 ºC near the surface, 16-22 ºC near the bottom depth of 53 m. High anomalies of temperature indicated the effect of propagation of Kevin Waves along Peruvian coast during El Ni&ntilde o. Depth mean currents prevailed to the south-southwestward flow. There were two events that bottom temperature increased abruptly in April and September. These events coincided with strong south-southwestward flow. Cross-correlation between bottom temperature and depth mean currents shows the currents lead the temperature about 20 days.he temperature varied with a range of 17-25 ºC near the surface, 16-22 ºC near the bottom depth of 53 m. High anomalies of temperature indicated the effect of propagation of Kevin Waves along Peruvian coast during El Ni&ntilde o. Depth mean currents prevailed to the south-southwestward flow. There were two events that bottom temperature increased abruptly in April and September. These events coincided with strong south-southwestward flow. Cross-correlation between bottom temperature and depth mean currents shows the currents lead the temperature about 20 days.