Prediction of currents and sea surface elevation in the Gulf of California from tidal to seasonal scales

A web tool that provides currents and/or sea surface elevation in the Gulf of California is presented. The above variables are reconstructed from harmonic constants obtained from harmonic analyses of time series produced by a 3D baroclinic numerical model of the Gulf. The numerical model was forced (1) at the Gulf's mouth by the tides and the hydrographic variability of the Pacific Ocean (at semiannual and annual frequencies), and (2) at the Gulf's surface by winds, heat and fresh water fluxes (also at the semiannual and annual frequencies). The response to these forcings results in motions with time scales limited to semidiurnal and diurnal, fortnightly and monthly (due to nonlinear interactions of the tidal components), and semiannual and annual frequencies (due to the nontidal forcing).