Coastal currents and water characteristics along Algahaz Coast, Jeddah during summer 2012

Abstract EN

Algahaz coastal area is characterized by strong winds, especially during summer season.

Data collected with a portable current meter and CTD during summer 2012 were analyzed.

The temperature and salinity measurements show that the coastal water is well mixed from surface to 20 m depth, with small spatial variability due to the discharge of treated sewage to the north of study area.

The temperature is higher during July compared with that of May.

The surface current during the measurements period show that the flow is variable during May as it’s the transition period, while during July the flow is towards south to southwest, with higher velocity.

The computed surface wind driven currents also show that the main direction is towards south indicating that the flow during summer is dominated by wind forcing.