ИСТИНА

Abstract. Sea level oscillations in the small inlet of the White Sea are investigated using the data of observations in summer – autumn months of 2008 – 2014. The measurements of sea level, air pressure, wind speed and direction, water and air temperature were performed at the White Sea Biological Station of Lomonosov Moscow State University. The features of tidal sea level oscillations in this area are described. Focus is given to the study of the residual sea level (RSL) oscillations in the synoptic timescale. The RSL fluctuations were obtained by excluding tidal component from the measurement data and then applying Butterworth filter. A number of significant RSL rises (more than 1, 45 m) and their relation to the synoptic conditions is considered. In most cases significant wind-surge fluctuations occurred in autumn owing to the amplification of cyclonic activity over the waters of the White and Barents Seas. Maximum wind surges occurred during the passage of deep cyclones whose trajectories were east of the White Sea at the time of the highest level rise. These cyclones, along with a decrease in atmospheric pressure, create surge northern winds. The statistical properties of the fluctuations of the residual sea level, and interannual variations of hydrometeorological characteristics during the observation period are considered. The tendency of increase in air and water temperature as well as residual sea level is revealed. Key words: tides, residual sea level, White Sea, wind surges, synoptic conditions, interannual tendency