A large cyclonic current in the water brought the Island one of its coldest winters on record and resulted in unusually low tides.

According to Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), Bermuda has been experiencing low tides for the past several months. This is due to the circulation of a large cyclonic eddy through local waters and resulting in a decrease in sea level.

A spokesperson for BIOS said scientists were constantly monitoring these currents, known as eddies, in the Sargasso Sea in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Scientists used both remote sensing techniques and ship based observations from BIOS' research vessel, Atlantic Explorer, specifically at two long-term observation sites near the Island.

They noticed the formation of the latest cyclone in late January 2010, some 300 to 400 km east of the Island.

It intensified in late March and began to effect Bermuda's water causing a notable low tide. And by mid to late June the eddy spread to the south west of Bermuda allowing local sea levels to relax back to normal.

Eddies don't typically travel as far south as Bermuda and usually tend to originate in the eastern Sargasso Sea.

While this past winter brought cold temperatures as low as 18.3 degrees Celsius, the ocean temperature was lower than expected, a BIOS spokesperson said.

Typically, annual minimum temperatures off Bermuda are above 19 degrees Celsius.

Scientist Rod Johnson said "It is perhaps too early to make any conclusion".

But added: "I think this analysis of eddies illustrates how our long-term studies of the open ocean at BATS and Hydrostation can shed light on questions we have about both global ocean dynamics and more localised affects such as the low tide levels that Bermuda has been experiencing."