Ocean Currents and Climate

12:26pm Monday 28th April 2008

Warm and cold ocean currents can change the climate of coastal regions, but only when prevailing local winds blow from the sea to land. Warm sea currents bringing higher temperatures and more precipitation, while cold currents lower temperature and shorten the growing season. Many ocean currents are driven by prevailing winds, but the rotation of the Earth deflects them so they follow a roughly circular path, moving clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and anticlockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. These circular currents are called "gyres" and the strongest are in the largest oceans, the North and South Atlantic, and the Pacific. The North Atlantic gyre moves from the warm north coast of South America towards Florida, USA, then the east across the ocean, south of Portugal. The Gulf Stream keeps the British Isles mild, fending off any frequent severe cold spells in winter.

Next week........May Thunderstorms.

The answer to last weeks question: 20c.

This weeks question:

What is the name of the current which keeps severe cold away from the British Isles.A/ The Tropical Ocean Current.

B/ The Gulf Stream.

Best of Luck.

Glossary: Conduction: The transfer of heat between bodies that are in contact. The air is mainly warmed by conduction from the surface of land or water.

The weather for coming week Monday 28th April-Friday 2nd May.

Low pressure over the UK bringing mixed mild conditions. Winds mainly in from south or south-west. Sunshine interspersed with thundery storms with local hail and thunder in places, a few longer spells of heavy rain.

Maximum temperature 14-16c 57-61f.

Minimum temperature 8-10c 46-50f.

Last Week's Observations (Monday-Sunday).

Highest day temperature.........19.1c 66f on Saturday 26th April.

Lowest night temperature.......3.9c 39f on Monday 21st April.

Wettest day...........................4.5 mm on Sunday 27th April.

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