Observations of unusual currents offshore of South Carolina during winter 2012

What is it about?

A variety of observations were used to describe unusually persistent equatorward flow over the upper slope offshore of north South Carolina. The flow carried warm, Gulf Stream water that was as much as 200 m thick and persisted for several weeks. The current was up to 0.8 m/s in magnitude and it may form the shoreward edge of a recirculation feature inshore of the Gulf Stream.

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Why is it important?

Such a strong upper slope current moving opposite to the direction of the Gulf Stream has not been previously documented. It may be a principal form of the recirculation feature called the Charleston Gyre. It should also promote export from the adjacent shelf in the form on an Ekman drain.