Variability of the Southern Adriatic Gyre During 2016–2018

The circulation in the southern Adriatic Sea is primarily influenced by the large and permanent oceanic current known as the southern gyre. The southern gyre can undergo variations in size, shape, and water transport due to fluctuations in atmospheric and boundary fluxes. Although many studies have focused on the dynamics of the southern Adriatic gyre, uncertainty remains about the mechanisms controlling its variability and the relative importance of different forcing factors. We used a high‐resolution ocean model (ROMS, 2016–2018) to assess variability and the roles of wind, Otranto Strait inflow, and bottom friction. The gyre core displaced ≈30–74 km, with the largest shifts in late fall and winter, and core waters were 0.1–0.8 PSU saltier and 0–2°C colder than surrounding waters. These anomalies corresponded to a depression of sea surface height by about 15–20 cm at the core. Wind increases the transport of the gyre by about 30%, while friction decreases it by 8%. Seasonal shifts in stability and mixing within the core are also seen. Since the dynamics of the gyre's core are important to oceanic processes and are influenced by atmospheric conditions and flux, changes in the core of the southern gyre are anticipated as climate change affects these atmospheric patterns and fluxes.