- The Somali Current flows along the East coast of Africa and reverses direction depending on the origin of the Monsoon.
Description
- May to November:
- The Somali Current flows Northward in a band 30-60 miles (48-96 km) wide, along the East Coast of Africa.
- During the Southwest Monsoon which blows at a steady 30mph (48 kph), between May and June, the Current is at its strongest flow.
- Between June and August, this intense Current produces two main Eddies that rotate clockwise, the Great Whirl and a secondary Eddy known as the Socotra Gyre. The surface current of the Great Whirl can reach 5 mph (7 kph).
- From December to April:
- During the Northeast Monsoon, the Somali Current reverses to become a Southward Flow, reaching up to Latitude 10° North, which includes most of the Somali Coastline. The Current is at its strongest in January.
- However, the current flows north between Socotra and the Horn of Africa, due to the Great Whirl.
Somali Current