Stony Brook UniversitySchool of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

http://po.msrc.sunysb.edu/GSB

Great South Bay Observatory

Funded by New York Department of State

Sensors deployed at the Bellport marina since 2004

Sea Bird Electronics “SeaCat”, SBE 16 and SBE 16Plus

Temperature and salinity Temperature, salinity, sea Level, chlorophyll and turbidity

April 9, 2005

C. Flagg

November 3, 2012 ~0900 EDT (~1300 GMT)

C. Flagg and R. Giannotti

March 13, 2010

Hank Maust

Pre-inlet responses of the ocean and eastern bay to strong winds

mean water level

Low salinity riverwaters enter the bay

Bay waters flowup river

Waves scourthe beach

High waves can over-top the dunes

After the passage of Hurricane Irene, Aug. 28, 2011, ~1030 EDT

C. Flagg

Pre-inlet responses of the ocean and eastern bay to strong winds

mean water level

Low salinity riverwaters enter the bay

Bay waters flowup river

Waves scourthe beach

High waves can over-top the dunes

Hurricane Sandy at Bellport

Barometric Pressure

Wind Speed

Wind Direction

North

North

East

South

West

Hurricane Sandy at Bellport

Wind Speed

Water level

Water level withTides removed

Salinity

Normal range

Hurricane Sandy at Bellport

November 3, 2012 ~0900 EDT (~1300 GMT)

C. Flagg and R. Giannotti

C. Flagg and R. Giannotti

November 11, 2012, ~0830 EST (1330 GMT)

R. Weissmann and R. Giannotti

November 18, 2012 ~1200 EST (1700 GMT)

November 29, 2012, ~0830 EST (~1330 GMT)

C. Flagg and R. Giannotti

Different responses of the Bay to west winds pre and post inlet

Water level,Tide removed

Wind Speed

Wind Direction

Inlet

Post-inlet responses of the ocean and eastern bay to strong winds

Post InletPre Inlet

Bellport Bay's tidal range and phase have not been affected

Response of the Bellport Bay to strong winds has been reversed but not necessarily increased in magnitude

Water properties, ie salinity, have been altered and are more ocean-like due the increased exchange with the ocean

Salient Points