What Causes the Sea Level Variability at Ieodo Ocean Research Station in Winter?

Abstract

The sea level anomalies at Ieodo Ocean Research Station (I-ORS) from satellite observation in December, January, and February were positive in 2017 and 2019, and negative in 2011 and 2018. When the sea level anomalies at the I-ORS were positive in winter, the sea level anomalies of the eastern East China Sea (around 130˚E and 27˚N) and geostrophic currents in Kuroshio were also positive and stronger than other winters, anomalies of sea surface temperature and wind stress at the I-ORS were positive and westward, respectively. When the sea level anomalies at the I-ORS were negative in winter, the sea level anomalies of the eastern East China Sea (around 130˚E and 27˚N) and geostrophic currents in Kuroshio were negative and weaker than other winters, anomalies of sea surface temperature and wind stress at the I-ORS were negative and eastward, respectively. The strength of wind stress was not related to the sea level directly. Thus, the winter sea level at I-ORS was related to the sea level and currents of Kuroshio, wind stress direction, and sea surface temperature. The sea level time series observed around the I-ORS suggest that the winter atmospheric and oceanic forcing affects the sea level at the I-ORS.