Gulf Stream

The Gulf Stream, also known as the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico, exits through the Strait of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland. The Gulf Stream was the first element to be identified of the global oceanic thermohaline circulation. The Gulf Stream has a modifying influence on the climate of the east coast of North America from Florida to Newfoundland It is influential on the climate of the east coast of Florida, especially southeast Florida helping to keep temperatures warmer than in the rest of the southeastern United States in the winter. In summer the effect is opposite but small. The Gulf Stream makes the climate of offshore islands of Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, milder than than that of Massachusetts Bay, which is isolated from its effects by Cape Cod.

Related Topics:
Atlantic - Ocean current - Gulf of Mexico - Strait of Florida - Newfoundland - Thermohaline circulation - Florida - United States - Martha's Vineyard - Nantucket - Cape Cod

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Its extension toward Europe, called the North Atlantic drift, makes Western Europe (and especially Northern European winters) considerably warmer than they otherwise would be. For example, in January, the temperature difference between coastal Norway and northern parts of continental Canada is approximately 30 °C on average, even if they are the same latitude.

Related Topics:
Europe - North Atlantic drift - Western Europe - Northern Europe - Norway - Canada - Latitude

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