Temperature and salinity mean and variability within the Subtropical Front over the Chatham Rise, New Zealand

Estimates are made of the mean and variability in temperature and salinity across the Subtropical Front along 178degrees30'E, east of New Zealand. These estimates are made from six sections taken over 5 years, but biased towards spring and autumn sampling. Monte-Carlo simulations of the potential errors introduced by this sampling suggest that the mean fields can be reasonably well determined, but the annual cycles have large relative error. April 1999 residuals were anomalously warm and saline compared with the other five sections. These anomalies may be linked to an increased strength of the Wairarapa Eddy at that time.