Articles | Volume 6-osr9
https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-6-osr9-5-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-6-osr9-5-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
30 Sep 2025
| OSR9 | Chapter 2.2
| 30 Sep 2025 | OSR9 | Chapter 2.2
Variations in marine heatwaves and cold spells in the Northwest Atlantic during 1993–2023
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, 1 Challenger Dr., Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 4A2, Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, 1 Challenger Dr., Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 4A2, Canada
Haiyan Wang
Key Laboratory of Marine Hazards Forecasting, National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, China
Gilles Garric
Mercator-Ocean International, 2 Av. de l'Aérodrome de Montaudran, 31400 Toulouse, France
Simon Van Gennip
Mercator-Ocean International, 2 Av. de l'Aérodrome de Montaudran, 31400 Toulouse, France
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Ocean temperature is a key factor influencing marine ecosystem. On Scotian Shelf, the observed ocean bottom temperatures show strong year-to-year variations of 2–5 degrees in Celsius, and a decade-long warm phase ended since summer of 2023. Analysis of a numerical modelling product revealed causes of warm and cool events including winter heat loss at sea surface and lateral water transport by ocean flows. The influence of complicated ocean dynamics calls for innovative methods for prediction.
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Short summary
Statistics of marine heatwaves and cold spells in the water column of the Northwest Atlantic during 1993–2023 are derived using a global ocean reanalysis product. On the Scotian Shelf, temperatures and parameters of extreme events present layered structures in the water column, long-term trends, and sharp increases around 2012. Quantification of extreme warm (cold) conditions in 2012 (1998) supports previous studies on the impacts of these conditions on several marine life species.
Statistics of marine heatwaves and cold spells in the water column of the Northwest Atlantic...
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