Winds and buoyancy-driven circulation in the Tampa Bay

The present study is concentrated on the empirical studies on the circulation in the Tampa Bay by analyzing velocity data at the Skyway Bridge Station in the Tampa Bay.Analyses focus on three factors responsible for the circulation: tides, winds and buoyancy gradients.The analysis of the current data obtained at the Skyway Bridge Station shows these three components of the circulation: the tidal currents are nearly uniform with depth; a vigorous and persistent buoyancy-driven mean flow is directed into the bay at this location with speed of about 6-8 cm/s; and synoptic scale wind fluctuations result in similarly large current fluctuations with winds blowing into the bay causing currents to flow out of the bay, and vice versa.