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Seasonal Sea-Level Variations in San Francisco Bay in Response to Atmospheric Forcing, 1980

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1006/ecss.1996.0162

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Abstract

The seasonal response of sea level in San Francisco Bay (SFB) to atmospheric forcing during 1980 is investigated. The relations between sea-level data from the Northern Reach, Central Bay and South Bay, and forcing by local wind stresses, sea level pressure (SLP), runoff and the large scale sea level pressure field are examined in detail. The analyses show that the sea-level elevations and slopes respond to the along-shore wind stress T(V) at most times of the year, and to the cross-shore wind stress T(N) during two transition periods in spring and autumn. River runoff raises the sea-level elevation during winter. It is shown that winter precipitation in the SFB area is mainly attributed to the atmospheric circulation associated with the Alcutian Low, which transports the warm, moist air into the Bay area. A multiple linear regression model is employed to estimate the independent contributions of barometric pressure and wind stress to adjusted sea level. These calculations have a simple dynamical interpretation which confirms the importance of along-shore wind to both sea level and north-south slope within the Bay.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Seasonal Sea-Level Variations in San Francisco Bay in Response to Atmospheric Forcing, 1980
Series title Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
DOI 10.1006/ecss.1996.0162
Volume 45
Issue 1
Year Published 1997
Language English
Contributing office(s) San Francisco Bay-Delta, Pacific Regional Director's Office
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
First page 39
Last page 52
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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