Nowcasting Cross-Stream Profiles of Ocean Surface Current in the Straits of Florida

Abstract

Cross-stream profiles of ocean surface currents between Florida and the Bahamas are highly correlated with the cross-stream-averaged current. When the cross-stream averaged speed is high, the speed axis of the Florida Current is to the west, and when the cross-stream-averaged speed is low, the speed axis is near the center of the straits. Since sea level and weather along the Florida coast are routinely used to nowcast cross-stream-averaged speed, nowcasts of cross-stream surface current profiles and location of the speed axis can also be routinely reported. An improved algorithm using cross-stream sea level difference and local weather, and a description of the revised NOAA Gulf Stream product from the National Hurricane Center are presented.