Current variability by wave propagation in Todos Santos Bay, Baja California, Mexico

The temperature, velocity, and sea level fields for a summer climatological month (August) were analyzed using tridimensional and baroclinic model outputs in Todos Santos Bay (TSB), Baja California, Mexico. The numerical model was forced with wind (non-stationary), heat flux, and California Current System climatology on the open boundary. The 3-to 5-day current variability is related to a baroclinic wave traveling towards the northwest of the bay. Wave travel periodicity was due to the release of accumulated water from the Ensenada-Punta Banda Estuary (E-PBE) region. Local wind stress causes southeastward water flow and, given the TSB geometry, water accumulates in the E-PBE region. Weakening wind stress was the main cause of water release. In addition, complex empirical orthogonal function analysis found that outer TSB disturbances cause sea level variability.