1. Ocean Climate Conditions during GLOBEC Northeast Pacific Program (NEP) Long Term Observation Program (LTOP) Thomas C. Royer and Chester E. Grosch Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA 23529 and Thomas J. Weingartner and Seth Danielson Institute of Marine Science University of Alaska Fairbanks, AK 99775 email: royer@ccpo.odu.edu

15. A.Linear Trend Analyses 1997-2003 Variable SlopeProbability Upper Layer (0-100 m) Temp. -0.0330 C/yr.0.87 Lower Layer (100-250m) Temp. -0.0380 C/yr.0.71 Upper Layer Salinity +0.0167 /yr.0.91 Lower Layer Salinity +0.0474 /yr.1.00 B. Linear Trend Analyses from 1970 Variable SlopeProbability Upper Layer Temp. +0.0315 C/yr.0.99 Lower Layer Temp. +0.0262 C/yr.0.99 Upper Layer Salinity -0.00219 /yr.0.78 Lower Layer Salinity +0.00127 /yr.0.77 Freshwater Discharge +181.7 m 3 s -1 yr. -1 0.99 Upwelling Index +0.665 m 3 s -1 0.98 (60 N, 146 W)(100 m) -1 yr. -1

16. Conclusions  During the GLOBEC Northeast Pacific Long Term Observing Program (LTOP), the nearshore temperatures at GAK1 had a tendency to decrease, reversing the longer term warming.  Overall, since 1970 the water column temperatures at the coast are increasing at a rate of about 0.03 C/year (about 0.9 C for entire record).  During LTOP, the salinities are increasing, reversing a longer term freshening in the upper layer (0-100 m).  Overall, the upper layer salinity at the coast is decreasing (-0.002 /year) while the lower layer salinity (100-250 m) is increasing (+0.001 /year). Stratification is increasing.  Most recently in 2002-3, there was sudden freshening and warming of the water column with the highest water temperatures yet observed since 1970.

18. Hydrographic data have been gathered 6-7 times per year across the Seward Line since October 1997 as GLOBEC LTOP. We focus here on the first station, adjacent to the coast, GAK1, that has a record that began in 1970. The water depth is 263 m and its location is within the Alaska Coastal Current. Background