1 2.4 Ocean Currents Understand how ocean currents affect climate

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Define Ocean Current 1. Permanent or semi-permanent horizontal movement of surface water 2. It is unusually cold or hot

4 continued… 3. Caused by Prevailing winds Temperature variation Salinity differences Coriolis force

5 a/lesson08.html Video…Causes of Ocean Currents

continued… Cold ocean currents 1. Humboldt or Peru current cold from Antarctica 2.Labrador current cold from Arctic Ocean Warm ocean currents 1. Gulf Stream warm from Gulf of Mexico 2. Japanese current warm from Japan

continued…  Affect of cold ocean currents 1. Cools the summer temperature 2.Reduces precipitation; (cooler air holds less moisture)  Affect of warm ocean currents 1. Warms the winter temperature 2. Increases precipitation; (warmer air holds more moisture)

Two coastal locations on the same latitude Newfoundland England

Two coastal locations on the same latitude Newfoundland Influenced by Labrador Current Cold current Causes the cooler moderate climate England  Area affected by North Atlantic Drift  Warm current  Causes a warmer moderate climate