During the Southwest monsoon in summer, winds flow northeastward and drive a northward flow all along the Somali coast. As a consequence of the Coriolis force, Ekman transport shifts these upper warm waters offshore permitting upwelling of cooler waters along the coast. The difference from the previous map is immediately obvious.

The configuration of the Somali current during this Southwest monsoon comes close those of western boundary currents. On this account, the Somali Current is the analogue to the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic, and Kuroshio in the Pacific. But, unlike them, the western boundary current for the northern Indian Ocean is only present part of the year.

Top: Merged maps of Sea Level Anomalies (in cm) averaged on August 2008 in the northeast part of Indian Ocean. To made a such map with the LAS, choose DT - Global - (Maps of) Sea Level Anomalies Merged. In Define variable, choose Average, "T" then the reference period (2008/07/30 - 2008/08/27) . Click on Next then select the area 38°E/64°E/6°S/18°N.

Below:  Maps of Geostrophic Velocity Anomalies cm/s the August 06, 2008, off the Somali coast. . Choose DT - Global - (Maps of) Geostrophic Velocity Anomalies , Variable(s): Vector (U,V), the date, and the geographical area.