Ocean Currents & Climate Understand the cause of ocean currents and how they affect climate Chapter 4 P. 68-69

Define “ ocean current” Ocean currents: Permanent or semi-permanent horizontal movement of surface water (100m) It is unusually cold or hot Caused by: prevailing winds variations in temperature & solar heating density of water coriolis force

Explain how ocean currents affect climate on nearby land. Affect of cold ocean currents Cools the summer temperature Reduces precipitation; cooler air holds less moisture!!

Explain how ocean currents affect climate on nearby land. Affect of warm ocean currents Warms the winter temperature Increases precipitation; warmer air holds more moisture!!

Practice - How is each location affected by the ocean current? Mary’s Harbour, NL - Labrador current Cool summer temperatures & surprising little precipitation

A

Practice - How is each location affected by the ocean current? Mary’s Harbour, NL - Labrador current Cool summer temperatures Surprising little precipitation despite being a coastal area ..again cold air holds LESS precipitation! Brazilia & Brazil Current High precipitation. Precipitation is further increased by the fact that the southeast trade winds blow off the warm ocean current onto the land.

B

Practice - How is each location affected by the ocean current? Mary’s Harbour, NL - Labrador current Cool summer temperatures & surprising little precipitation despite being a coastal area Brazilia & Brazil Current Main effect Warm moist air High precipitation. The southeast trade winds blow off the warm ocean current onto the land. Look At figure 4.7 on page 60 and explain why Cape Town, South Africa might have similar fog conditions as St. John’s NF?

C

Practice - How is each location affected by the ocean current? Mary’s Harbour, NL - Labrador current Cool summer temperatures & surprising little precipitation despite being a coastal area Brazilia & Brazil Current Warm moist air = high precipitation. The southeast trade winds blow off the warm ocean current onto the land. Look At figure 4.7 on page 60 and explain why Cape Town, South Africa might have similar fog conditions as St. John’s NF? Australia has a fair amount of desert. Looking at figure 4.7 on p. 60 which coast would you expect it to be on, east or west?

D

Practice - How is each location affected by the ocean current? Mary’s Harbour, NL - Labrador current Cool summer temperatures & surprising little precipitation despite being a coastal area Brazilia & Brazil Current Warm moist air = high precipitation. The southeast trade winds blow off the warm ocean current onto the land. Look At figure 4.7 on page 60 and explain why Cape Town, South Africa might have similar fog conditions as St. John’s NF? Australia has a fair amount of desert. Looking at figure 4.7 on p. 60 which coast would you expect it to be on, west - colder winds=less precip.