Abstract
The environmental water temperatures in Ise Bay are characterized by a few degrees higher in the nearshore area than in the offshore area. From the results of the field observation and the numerical experiment, we think that the phenomenon peculiar to Ise Bay can be explained as follows. In the innermost area of Ise Bay, the vertical structure of water temperature is of an overturned stratification, which is caused by the salt maintaining the density stratification against much fresh water supplied even in winter. In consequence, the estuary circulation is developed even in winter. The water of higher temperature and higher salt upwells from the lower layer in the innermost area of the bay and the higher temperature zone is formed. These phenomena are reinforced by the prominent northern or north-westerly wind in winter, and the higher temperature zone spreads in the innermost area of the bay.
