Hydrographic responses at a coastal site in the northern Gulf of Alaska to seasonal and interannual forcing

Interdecadal trends in these coastal temperatures and salinities are consistent with a general warming of the upper layer (0-100 m) of the water column, with temperatures increasing by about 0.9 °C since 1970 and 0.8 °C in the lower layer (100-250 m). During this same time period, the sea-surface salinity decreased by about 0.3 and the upper-layer salinity decreased by 0.06, while the lower-layer salinity increased by about 0.04. Consequently, there is a tendency for the stratification to increase. This has been accompanied by a tendency for less downwelling and increased freshwater discharge. Both of these influences will tend to increase the coastal stratification.