Northeast Chukchi sea coastal currents

The characteristics of the surface currents off Point Franklin, Alaska (August 1976), show a southwesterly flow inshore and offshore separated by a northeasterly flow. The offshore southwesterly flow has never been observed before. The surface current regime occurred during a period of persistent northeasterly winds (average speed = 6.9 m sec−1). However, the wind does not appear to be the major driving force of the currents except near shore. Transport calculations show that the offshore southwesterly current was the dominant flow. The drift trajectory of three RAMS buoys (winter 1975‐76) during an AIDJEX study indicates that the offshore southwesterly current can occur during other seasons.