Ciencias Marinas (2011), 37(4A): 493–512 http://dx.doi.org/10.7773/cm.v37i4A.1911 C M Coastal circulation in the absence of wind in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, Mexico: High-frequency radar observations Circulación costera en ausencia de viento en el golfo de Tehuantepec, México: Observaciones con radares de alta frecuencia X Flores-Vidal1*, R Durazo1, C Chavanne3, P Flament2 1 Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Km 107 Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada, Ensenada, CP 22860, Baja California México. 2 Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii, 1000 Pope Rd., Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA. 3 Institute des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski, 310 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, QC, G5L 3A1, Canada. * Corresponding author. E-mail:
[email protected],
[email protected] ABSTRACT. Using high-frequency radars, ocean surface currents were mapped every hour over an area of ≈5000 km2 in the inner Gulf of Tehuantepec (Mexico). The coastal circulation patterns (≈100 km offshore) were studied during spring, summer, and autumn 2006. The spring circulation was similar to the typical winter circulation, when the circulation is forced by outbursts of northerly winds (>8 m s–1) known locally as Tehuanos. Although Tehuano events are less common in spring than in winter, they are perfectly capable of modifying the sea surface by triggering cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies (≈50–200 km in diameter). Under moderate wind conditions, the ocean circulation showed a quasi- permanent westward coastal current (≈50 cm s–1). Though the Tehuano winds were absent in summer, cyclonic eddies were observed and likely linked to the westward coastal current.