ocean currents and climate
DESCRIPTION
OCEAN CURRENTS AND CLIMATE. Ocean current - p ermanent 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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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.