INTERANNUAL VARIABILITY OF BOTTOM WATER TEMPERATURE ON THE WEST KAMCHATKA SHELF

I. A. Zhigalov and V. A. Luchin

Results of investigation of the interannual variability of bottom water temperature (BWT) on the West Kamchatka shelf are presented. The basis of investigation was all available information about water temperature at the bottom (4777 measurements from 1963 to 2001). Statistical connections were found between BWT and factors possibly influencing the temperature field of bottom waters. Results of calculations showed that a prognostic equation might be derived for up to 3—4 months in advance. Within the framework of the proposed classification, the years were classified with respect to thermal conditions. On the West Kamchatka shelf, 1966 and 1967 were anomalously cold years. Cold years were 1970, 1971, 1973, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1994, 1998, 1999, and 2001. Warm years were 1963, 1964, 1968, 1977, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1996.