Variability in the location of the Antarctic Polar Front (90°-20°W) from satellite sea surface temperature data

The path of the Antarctic Polar Front (PF) is mapped using satellite sea surface temperature data from the NOAA/NASA Pathfinder program. The mean path and variability of the PF are strongly influenced by bathymetry. Meandering intensity is weaker where the bathymetry is steeply sloped and increases in areas where the bottom is relatively flat. There is an inverse relationship between meandering intensity and both the width of the front and the change in temperature across it. There is a persistent, large separation between the surface and subsurface expressions of the PF at Ewing Bank on the Falkland Plateau.