Eyes Over Puget Sound: Surface Conditions Report - March 16, 2020

After a wet January, precipitation has been low and air temperatures have been cooler.  As a result, rivers gages are lower than expected, a pattern that has continued since last year. In March we approached the coldest water temperatures of the year. Herring are spawning in Port Madison. Although these cool temperatures are good for herring, temperatures are close to the survival limits for anchovies. If you can handle these temperatures, now is a good time to go diving to benefit of good underwater visibility, just avoid windy days near wave-exposed beaches. If you are lucky, you might see the kelp humpback shrimp, a master of camouflage.

Report cover
Report cover
Title

Eyes Over Puget Sound: Surface Conditions Report - March 16, 2020

 
Publication number Date Published
20-03-071 March 2020
VIEW NOW: Eyes Over Puget Sound: Surface Conditions Report - March 16, 2020 (Number of pages: 36) (Publication Size: 12483KB)
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Author(s) Krembs, Christopher
Description

After a wet January, precipitation has been low and air temperatures have been cooler.  As a result, rivers gages are lower than expected, a pattern that has continued since last year. In March we approached the coldest water temperatures of the year. Herring are spawning in Port Madison. Although these cool temperatures are good for herring, temperatures are close to the survival limits for anchovies. If you can handle these temperatures, now is a good time to go diving to benefit of good underwater visibility, just avoid windy days near wave-exposed beaches. If you are lucky, you might see the kelp humpback shrimp, a master of camouflage.

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Contact Christopher Krembs at 360-407-6675 or christopher.krembs@ecy.wa.gov
Keywords EOPS, Eyes Over Puget Sound
About the Author: 
Christopher Krembs, Ph.D., is the Lead Oceanographer at the Washington State Department of Ecology and oversees the Eyes Over Puget Sound monitoring program.