Over the past few days, we have discussed to release a 10-m drifter (with more battery life and possibility of drifting for a long time after the FE is over) towards the end of the FE. The strong inflow from both HE and MS (at least the east side) made such a plan difficult. However, the wind switched from easterlies two days ago to westerlies today. This provides a favorable condition for the cyclonic eddy (seen by both HF radar and ROMS), and outflow condition at HE. There is a very strong tidal current at the HE, see the above images, the tidal current at HE can be as large as 50 cm/s within six hours (associated with the 12 hourly M2 tides). The tidal current is very weak right now, 12pm Sunday. However, both the wind-driven and tidal-driven current are in phase later this afternoon. Based on all the information I have, this afternoon around 4pm (+/- 1 hour window) is predicted as the optimal window to release a 10-m drifter, slightly northwest of the HE. Both the surface (0-meter) and the 10-meter current are coherent, see attached image.
I don't know this plan is feasible, but it is worth some discussions. In case people on the boat don't access emails, I am wondering whether someone can call Scott or others on the boat. I will email the group, and contact Carter in the next hour.
It would be great if we can try to release one or more drifters today, so that we can continue to watch their trajectories after the FE is over.
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