Research Document 1998/29

Oceanographic conditions in the Newfoundland region during 1997

By E. Colbourne

Abstract

Oceanographic observations from St. Pierre Bank, Grand Bank, Northeast Newfoundland Shelf and the Southern Labrador Shelf during 1997 are presented and referenced to the long-term (1961-1990) mean. The time series of temperatures at Station 27 show values ranging from 0.0 to 0.5 °C above normal for the winter months over most of the water column. By mid April a strong negative surface temperature anomaly developed with anomalies reaching near 1.0 ° C below normal by mid May and continued throughout the summer, while bottom temperatures remained near normal throughout the year. The summer upper layer salinities were normal, the first time since 1990, as well the annual depth average temperature at Station 27 was about normal. Time series from the inshore regions show below normal temperatures during mid 1997 but recovered to near normal values late in the year. Temperature anomalies on St. Pierre Bank show the cold period which started around 1984, continued to the spring of 1995, showed moderation during 1996, particularly in the upper layer, but decreased again to below normal values in 1997. During the summer of 1997 the CIL area off Bonavista and Hamilton Bank was well below normal continuing a trend established in 1994. Across the Grand Bank the CIL was above normal compared to near normal conditions in 1996. The total volume of sub-zero °C water on the Newfoundland Shelf during both summer and fall is continuing a below normal trend established in 1995. During the fall of 1997 bottom temperatures were above normal over many areas, particularly on the offshore portion of the Northeast Newfoundland Shelf, continuing a trend established in 1996. During the spring of 1997 deep water bottom temperatures in the 3Ps area appeared to be above normal while most of St. Pierre Bank was below normal by more than 1.0 ° C on the southeast portion of the bank. While 1996 temperatures were somewhat higher in the 3Ps area, conditions in this region are highly variable and it appears that the cold trend on St. Pierre Bank is continuing into 1997. In general, during 1997 oceanographic conditions were above normal over many areas, particularly over the deeper portions of the Northeast Newfoundland Shelf. The exception being the near shore in the upper water column and over the shallow portions of the Grand Bank where temperatures were colder than normal during late spring and early summer.

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