The eastern limb of the counterclockwise-flowing subpolar gyre in the North Pacific. This current is concentrated on the shelf region by the freshwater input from Alaskan rivers which enhances the pressure gradient across it. It is strongest in winter with current speeds around 0. 3 m/s and weakest in July and August when prevailing winds tend to oppose its flow. This current may or may not be distinguished from a western boundary current flowing along the Aleutian Islands and called the Alaskan Stream. Both have previously gone by the name of Aleutian Current. Whether or not the nomenclature makes a distinction, the Alaskan Stream and Current do have distinguishing characteristics. The Current is shallow and highly variable while the Stream is steadier and reaches to the ocean floor. The more barotropic nature of the latter is evidence that it is indeed a product of western boundary current dynamics while the former is in an eastern boundary regime.