The North Equatorial countercurrent observed during the 'Programme Français Océan Climat dans l'Atlantique Equatorial' experiment in the Atlantic ocean, july 1982 to august 1984

Observations from "Programme Français Océan Climat dans l'Atlantique Equatorial" (FOCAL) cruises in 1982 and 1984 have confirmed that in the Central Atlantic ocean the North Equatorial countercurrents (NECC) has a well-defined seasonal regime with a very reduced flux during spring. The main core of the NECC always lies between 4°N and 6°N. Focal observations have also shown that a long-term change of NECC may occur and contribute to the development of an "El Nino" type event in the Eastern Atlantic ocean. (Résumé d'auteur)