Observations of Baroclinic Tides in the California Current From the SWOT Satellite Altimeter and In Situ Data

Key Points

• This research aims to observe and analyze baroclinic internal tides in the California Current using satellite altimeter data.
• Utilized SWOT satellite altimeter data to analyze baroclinic tides.
• Derived tidal harmonic constants from in-situ mooring observations at four sites.
• Conducted spectral analysis of baroclinic sea level variance from time series.
• Internal waves primarily generated at the Mendocino Fracture zone were identified.
• Harmonic constants from moorings and satellite data showed qualitative agreement.
• Phase-locked tides accounted for approximately 75% of baroclinic sea level variance in the semidiurnal band.