To observe and diagnose the coastal mesoscale and submesoscale dynamics over the middle part of the New England Shelf (NES), identifying their role in driving exchange across the shelf. 

Our approach pairs remote and in situ observations of the NES to characterize SMC variability and quantify across-shelf ex- changes with process modeling studies to explore the mecha- nisms of the SMCs. The field program will utilize a novel land- based HF radar system geared towards high spatial resolution in complex flow conditions. Deployments of autonomous surface vehicles around a centralized mooring array will provide obser- vations of critical vertical and horizontal gradients of density and velocity over a seasonal cycle. 

The in situ components include:

(2) Two WHOI-owned, Liquid Robotics Wave Glider autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) will be deployed for 4-months during each of the two mooring periods. Outfitted with AirMar 2-axis sonic anemometers, SeaBird CT sensors at water depths of 0.3 and 6.5-m, and speed sensors, the ASVs will follow pre-determined regular survey patterns, focused on resolving horizontal gradients of temperature and salinity within the surface layer at multiple scales around the mooring locations