Ocean Currents Flashcards
What is an ocean current
Ocean currents are streams of water that move through the sea. Some ocean currents are warm, while others are cold.
How do ocean currents affect temperature?
Currents affect the temperature because the water temperature affects the temperature of the wind blowing over it.
A cold current will lower the wind’s temperature and a warm current will raise it. When the wind blows over the land, it will, in turn, affect the temperature of the land.
Which coast with a warm or hot will get more rain?
The coast next to a warm current usually gets more rain than the coast next to a cold current. This is because the wind blowing over a warm current is warmed by it, and can hold a lot of moisture evaporating from the sea. If it blows onshore, it takes this moisture with it, increasing the chance of rain. However, the wind blowing over a cold current will not collect moisture from the cold water surface, and will therefore be dry when it reaches land, making rain likely.
