Year-to-year variations in the third branch of the Tsushima warm current in the Japan sea

The third branch of the Tsushima warm current (TBTWC) flows northward along the Korean coast in the Japan Sea (JS). Year-to-year variations in separation position of the TBTWC from the Korean Peninsula were investigated using satellite altimetry data. Spatial and temporal variation in the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) second mode of sea surface dynamic height indicated year-to-year variation in the TBTWC path. The year-to-year variation from spring to summer correlated with variation in strength of the surface cooling in winter over the northern JS. Since intensified the Liman Cold Current in strong surface cooling year in winter transports cold water mass along the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. The northward current (TBTWC) along the west coast flows along the boundary of the lower temperature water distribution and strong sea surface cooling year separates at lower latitude than that in normal sea surface cooling year in summer time.