Internal tide variability off Central California: multiple sources,
seasonality, and eddying background
Abstract
Two moorings deployed for 75 days in 2019 and long-term satellite
altimetry data reveal a spatially complex and temporally variable
internal tidal field at the SWOT Cal/Val site off central California due
to the interference of multiple seasonally-variable sources. Coherent
tides account for $\sim$45\% of the
potential energy. The south mooring exhibits more energetic semidiurnal
tides, while the north mooring displays stronger mode-1 M$_2$ with an
amplitude of $\sim$5.1 mm. These findings from in situ
observations align with the analysis of 27-year altimetry data. The
altimetry results indicate that the complex internal tidal field is
attributed to multiple sources. Mode-1 tides primarily originate from
the Mendocino Ridge and the
36.5\textendash37.5$^\circ$N
California continental slope, while mode-2 tides are generated by local
seamounts and Monterey Bay. The generation and propagation of these
tides are influenced by mesoscale eddies and seasonal stratification.
Seasonality is evident for mode-1 waves from three directions. Southward
components from the Mendocino Ridge consistently play a dominant role
($\sim$268 MW) yearlong. We observed the strongest
eastward waves during the fall and spring seasons, generated remotely
from the Hawaiian Ridge. Westward waves from the
36.5\textendash37.5$^\circ$N
California continental slope are weakest during summer, while those from
the Southern California Bight are weakest during spring. The highest
variability of energy flux is found in the westward waves
($\pm 22\%$), while the lowest is in
the southward waves ($\pm 13\%$). These
findings emphasize the importance of incorporating the seasonality and
spatial variability of internal tides for the SWOT internal tidal
correction.