2.4.6—Ocean heat distribution

Ocean currents redistribute stored solar heat, so a coast’s climate can differ from what latitude alone predicts.

Wind and Earth’s rotation move surface water; warm currents generally moderate nearby coasts, while cold currents cool air and may reduce evaporation and rainfall.

A warm current beside a high-latitude coast can keep winters milder than an inland site at the same latitude.

Check current direction and sea-surface temperature; currents transport heat and moisture.

Ocean currents do not create energy; they redistribute heat already absorbed by the climate system.