Pattern of long-term seasonal sea level fluctuations in the Baltic Sea near the Lithuanian coast.

The Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) analyzing global climate change tendencies and their possible impacts on the natural environment and human lifestyles has determined that the ocean and sea level fluctuations are among the indicators of climate change. Annual variations of hydrometeorological conditions were found to have been predetermined not by a steady increase or decrease of one parameter but by their variations within seasons. Therefore the present paper deals with the long-term seasonal Baltic Sea level fluctuations near the Lithuanian coast. Mean monthly values of sea level measured in the port of Klaipėda were chosen for detailed analysis of sea level fluctuations in the Baltic Sea. The long-term dynamic pattern of mean sea level fluctuations near Klaipėda includes two time spans distinguished by pronounced differences of sea level rise intensity: 1898 1975 and 19762005. The 51-year time span for a detailed analysis of long-term seasonal sea level fluctuations (1955-2005) was chosen purposefully because it best reflects the changes of sea level rise intensity. The analysis of long-term seasonal sea level fluctuations revealed cyclic character. Yet the monthly cycle phases not always coincide. Also it was determined that the character of maximal mean monthly sea level dynamics in cold season had changed. Generalized comparative analysis of monthly sea level dynamics and climate variations showed that the sea level dynamics was a good reflection of the climate changes in cold season (October-March), whereas in warm season (April-September), sea level fluctuations were not so well reflected in climate changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]