Why cold currents are usually found on the west coast of the continents?

The water off the east coasts of these places is thus warmer than you would expect for that latitude. The return flow on the eastern edges of ocean basins (west coast of continents) brings cold water from poleward of that latitude.

Why does the west coast have cold water?

Along the west coast of the U.S., the California Current carries cold water from the polar region southward, keeping the west coast relatively cooler than the east coast.

Why is there colder water along the west coast of South America?

La Niña is caused by a build-up of cooler-than-normal waters in the tropical Pacific, the area of the Pacific Ocean between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Unusually strong, eastward-moving trade winds and ocean currents bring this cold water to the surface, a process known as upwelling.

Why do cold water currents move south along the west coast of continents in the northern hemisphere?

As wind or an ocean current moves, the Earth spins underneath it. The Coriolis effect bends the direction of surface currents to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere. The Coriolis effect causes winds and currents to form circular patterns.

Does the West coast have warm or cold water currents?

The West coasts generally have cold (warm or cold) water currents. The East coast climates will generally be warmer (warmer or cooler) than it’s supposed to be.

What are cold currents?

Think of cold currents as currents moving toward the Equator. These waters are colder than the water they are moving into. You would be swimming into a current colder than the surrounding water — thus a cold current. A warm current is just the reverse. A warm current is moving away from the Equator toward the poles.

Why is the coast Cold?

Land has a lower heat capacity than oceans, and it also heats and cools faster than oceans. During the winter, land is much colder than the oceans. When the westerly winds blow over it, the air cools substantially. By the time it reaches the East Coast, the moist air is cold enough to convert into snow.

Why is the Benguela Current cold?

While the Benguela Current is cold, generated by water from the very deepest parts of the ocean moving in line with the rotation of the Earth, the Southern Equatorial Current is warm. This change may be generated by anomalous atmospheric conditions that have been seen in the western part of the tropical Atlantic Ocean.

Why is the Peru Current cold?

Peru Current, also called Humboldt Current, cold-water current of the southeast Pacific Ocean, with a width of about 900 km (550 mi). The cold flow is intensified by upwelling of deep water caused by the combined effects of the drag of surface winds of the Southeast Trades and the Earth’s rotation.

Why do cold currents move toward the equator?

The cold currents often form when the air on the subtropical high blows over a cold mass of water, then the cold air is dragged to the equator. They form when salty cold water becomes heavy and sinks, in the process forcing warm and lighter water to move in the opposite direction.

Does the West Coast have warm or cold water currents?

What causes cold currents in the eastern part of the ocean?

Upwelled water is relatively cold in nature, thats why it causes “Cold currents” in the Eastern part of Oceans (which is Western coast of continents). What are the major cultural differences between the east coast and the west coast of the US, with respect to general behavior and lifestyle, business culture, faux pas, and so forth?

Where do you find warm currents in the northern hemisphere?

Warm currents bring warm water into cold water areas [low to high latitudes] and are usually observed on the east coast of continents in the low and middle latitudes (true in both hemispheres). In the northern hemisphere they are found on the west coasts of continents in high latitudes.

What causes water upwelling and cold currents?

This causes release of pressure in the Eastern part and Water Upwelling takes place in that part. Upwelled water is relatively cold in nature, thats why it causes “Cold currents” in the Eastern part of Oceans (which is Western coast of continents).

What is the difference between cold water and warm water currents?

Denser water tends to sink, while relatively lighter water tends to rise. Cold-water ocean currents occur when the cold water at the poles sinks and slowly moves towards the equator. Warm-water currents travel out from the equator along the surface, flowing towards the poles to replace the sinking cold water. Types of Ocean Currents