Research Document - 2002/024

Oceanographic conditions in NAFO Subdivisions 3Pn and 3Ps during 2001 with comparisons to the previous year and the long-term (1971-2000) average

By E. Colbourne

Abstract

Oceanographic data from NAFO subdivisions 3Pn and 3Ps during the spring of 2000 and 2001 are examined and compared to the long-term (1971-2000) average. Temperature anomalies on St. Pierre Bank show anomalous cold periods in the mid-1970s and from the mid-1980s to mid 1990s. Beginning around 1996 however, temperatures started to moderate, decreased again during the spring of 1997 and returned to more normal values during 1998. During 1999 and 2000 temperatures continued to warm to above normal values over most of the water column. During the spring of 2001 however, temperatures cooled significantly over the previous two years to values observed during the mid-1990s. The areal extent of <0^oC bottom water increase significantly from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s, but decreased to very low values in 1998-2000. During 2001 it increased again, returning to values observed during the mid-1990s. Since 1995 the areal extent of bottom water with temperatures >1^oC has been increasing, reaching pre-1985 values by 1999-2000. During 2001 the area of warmer water decreased significantly compared to the pervious 2-years. On St. Pierre Bank <0^oC water completely disappeared during 1999-2000 but increased to near 30% during 2001. The area of near-bottom water on the banks with temperatures >1^oC was about 50% of the total area during 1998 the first significant amount since 1984. This increased to about 70% during 1999 and to 85% during 2000 but decreased to a very low value during 2001. In general, there were significant variations in water mass characteristics particularly on St. Pierre Bank during the past several years, with cold conditions from 1990 to 1997 and above normal temperatures during 1998 to 2000, which decreased to below normal values during the spring of 2001.

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