Abstract
The properties and generation mechanisms of the Florida Current
subseasonal variability (20 – 100 days) are evaluated from in-situ and
satellite observations. The Florida Current volume transport estimates
from submarine cable measurements reveal that subseasonal variability
accounts for 37% of the total transport variance. It is most active
through September - November and marked by quasi-monthly variation. Here
we show that coastal-trapped waves generated by alongshore winds off the
southern Mid-Atlantic Bight coast are the primary driver of the Florida
Current transport subseasonal variability. In contrast, the role of
local winds is insignificant. The subseasonal coastal-trapped waves
cover a waveguide from Cape May to Port Isabel within 15 days with an
average phase speed of 2.5 ± 0.4 m s-1. While
transiting in the Florida Straits, the subseasonal waves modulate the
Florida Current transport by up to 2.6 Sv, on average, close to the
standard deviation of the total transport variability of 3.4 Sv. Under
strong stratification in the Florida Straits, manifested in the Rossby
deformation radius exceeding the cross-shelf length scale by a factor of
5, the waves exhibit Kelvin wave properties expected from theory. As the
waves propagate into the Gulf of Mexico, their energy substantially
dissipates. The wave amplitude at Cape May of up to 15 cm is more than
five times higher than at Port Isabel.