Marine heatwaves off West Coast (IMAGE)
Caption
Marine Heatwave Tracker, California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment. Two current marine heatwaves (NEP25A and NEP26A), not directly related to El Niño, have kept waters off the West Coast warmer than normal through the summer. El Niño can also lead to marine heatwaves, with different atmospheric drivers and different impacts. While marine heatwaves such as the Blob typically warm the ocean from the surface down and from offshore, El Niño-driven warming tends to come from below and from the south. The influence of El Niño is expected to grow as fall approaches to become the more dominant influence on West Coast waters.
For latest images and conditions, go to California Current Marine Heatwave Tracker.
Credit
NOAA Fisheries Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Usage Restrictions
No restrictions.
License
Public Domain