Oceanic Influences on Climate

Ocean currents redistribute heat Large scale currents are called gyres

North Atlantic Gyre Includes the Gulf Stream North Atlantic Gyre Includes the Gulf Stream

SST in Gulf Stream- July

Influence of Gulf stream SST on air temp

Walker cell circulation

El Nino and La Nina years since El Nino years produce weird weather in North America La Nina years are more “normal” El Nino and La Nina years since El Nino years produce weird weather in North America La Nina years are more “normal”

Prevailing wind flow along the ITCZ pushes warm water eastward Position of ITCZ shifts North with Northern Hemisphere summer and south with the Southern Hemisphere summer Prevailing wind flow along the ITCZ pushes warm water eastward Position of ITCZ shifts North with Northern Hemisphere summer and south with the Southern Hemisphere summer

SST July- Illustrating El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

SST- Equatorial Pacific July

SST January- El Nino Southern Oscillation

El Nino circulation

La Nina circulation

Fronts (1:2) ･ ･ Transition zone between air masses ･ ･ Cold Front (can move very fast) - - colder air mass moving faster than warmer air - - lifts warm air up in front of it - - may form something called a "dry line" > > associated with strong thunderstorm development - - described according to air mass which is approaching and relative motion

･ ･ Warm Front (typically moves more slowly) - - warmer air mass moving faster than cooler air - - warm air rides up over cold dense air - - usually a wider band of "active" weather Fronts (2:2)

Cyclonic storms ･ ･ Associated with Low pressure systems ･ ･ Lows moved by Upper level high velocity winds - - Jetstream ･ ･ usually involve air masses with different properties - - one warm the other cold - - one humid the other dry