OCEAN CURRENTS AND CLIMATE

Ocean current - permanent or semi-permanent horizontal movement of surface water (the top 100m).

Caused by: prevailing winds size and shape of ocean body they develop in (Gulf Stream) temperature and density of water coriolis force

Complete questions # 27, 28, 29 and 30 on page 69.

Major World Ocean Currents

Affect of cold ocean currents: Cools the summer temperature. Reduces precipitation - cooler air holds less moisture.

Affect of warm ocean currents: Warms the winter temperature. Increases precipitation - warmer air holds more moisture.

Practical Examples – How is each location affected by ocean currents?

• Cool summer temperatures• Surprising little precipitation despite being a coastal area

• Warm moist air brings high precipitation

Explain why Cape Town, South Africa might have similar fog conditions as St. John’s NF?

Warm and cold currents meet – the warm air rises above and condenses into fog.

Australia has a fair amount of desert. Which coast would you expect it to be on, east or west?

West – colder ocean current – colder air – less precipitation.