Gulf Stream

Definition: ​The Gulf Stream is a strong ocean current that brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean. It extends all the way up the eastern coast of the United States and Canada.

​This strong current of warm water influences the climate of the east coast of Florida, keeping temperatures there warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than the other southeastern states. Since the Gulf Stream also extends toward Europe, it warms western European countries as well.

Gulf Stream: How is it caused?

The Gulf Stream is caused by a large system of circular currents and powerful winds, called an oceanic gyre. There are five oceanic gyres on Earth. The Gulf Stream is part of the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre.​

Global Winds

Global winds are winds that occur in belts that go all around the planet. Like local winds, global winds are caused by unequal heating of the atmosphere. Winds blow on a diagonal over the surface due to Coriolis effect.​

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There are 3 types of global winds:

the trade winds, the prevailing westerlies, and the polar easterlies​

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​What do global winds do?

The global atmospheric circulation pattern is determined by temperature differences, especially the difference between heating at the equator and the poles, and by the Earth's rotation.

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Winds shape regional climate and influence daily weather by transporting heat and water.​

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Coriolis Effect​

​Because the Earth rotates on its axis, circulating air is deflected toward the right in the Northern Hemisphere and toward the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This deflection is called the Coriolis effect.

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​Jet Stream

​Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow, meandering air currents in the atmospheres. On Earth, the main jet streams are located near the altitude of the troposphere and are westerly winds.

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Jet streams form when warm air masses meet cold air masses in the atmosphere.

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​Leeward & Windward

Continental Deflection

​Continental deflection is the term used to describe the way that currents are deflected off of continental land masses. The water in the current collides with the continent and is deflected into a different direction.

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The sea current flows towards the continents and cannot continue due to the landmass blocking the way. This forces the current to deflect away from the landmass. The deflection happens according the angles of the continent with relation to the ocean current. Thus it effects will be different due to the vast differences along the world’s coastlines.

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