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How does the ocean influence the weather in California?
Ocean water is constantly evaporating, increasing the temperature and humidity of the surrounding air to form rain and storms that are then carried by trade winds. In fact, almost all rain that falls on land starts off in the ocean.
How does the ocean affect the weather in Southern California?
Warmer waters, which recently hit over 81 degrees Fahrenheit off Southern California, heat masses of air near the ocean, which then boost and sustain temperatures on the coast. The effect in these communities — which historically have had no use for air conditioners — has been palpable.
How does Pacific Ocean affect climate?
Heat, in immeasurable quantities, is stored in the world’s ocean generally, particularly in the Pacific, which occupies one-third of the planet’s entire surface area. Much of this heat then warms the atmosphere.
How does the ocean current impact the California coastline climate?
The California Current moves less water than the Gulf Stream does. But the California Current has a big effect on the climate of the West Coast of the United States. Usually, the climate along the West Coast is cooler than the climate of inland areas at the same latitude and elevation.
Why is California coast so productive?
The waters along the west coast of North America are some of the most biologically productive in the world. As a result, cooler, nutrient-rich water rises up from the depths to take its place—a process known as upwelling. …
Why is the California Current cold?
The water along the coast of California is cold for a couple of reasons. First, the California Current brings cold water from Alaska southward along the coast. This wind, combined with the rotation of the earth, creates surface currents that move water from the coast out into the ocean.
What is an ocean and weather pattern that affects the Pacific Coast?
About every two to seven years, this dry region experiences El Niño, an ocean and weather pattern that affects the Pacific coast. During an El Niño year, cool Pacific water near the coast warms. This change may cause extreme ocean and weather events that can have global effects.
Why is the Pacific ocean so cold in California?
The water along the coast of California is cold for a couple of reasons. First, the California Current brings cold water from Alaska southward along the coast. And second, cold water from the deep ocean comes up to the surface through a process called upwelling. So water from the deep ocean is sucked to the surface.
Why is the California Current important?
This is the mechanism that produces California’s characteristic coastal fog and cool ocean waters. The cold water is highly productive due to the upwelling, which brings to the surface nutrient-rich sediments, supporting large populations of whales, seabirds and important fisheries.
What ocean current affects California?
North Pacific Gyre
The California current is the eastern boundary current of the North Pacific Gyre, running southward from British Columbia, Canada to Baja California, Mexico. This current draws cool, nutrient rich waters from the Alaska current down along the western coast of North America.
How does the ocean flow along the California coast?
Generally, the currents flow north or south parallel to the coast, at various depths, and sometimes in opposite directions from each other. These currents, along with other climatic conditions, influence water temperatures along the coast, with Northern and Central California generally having cooler water than Southern California.
How is the ocean temperature in California in the summer?
Sea temperatures rise most rapidly in southern California to create the widest temperature range for the year between the northern and southern Pacific coast. Water along the southern coast reaches around 68 degrees F (20 degrees Celsius) during summer, while off northern beaches the ocean temperature hovers at just 52 degrees F (11 °C).
Why is the water cold on the California coast?
While the cool water temps help to provide some of the finest air temperatures along the coast throughout the seasons, the water is, indeed, chilly. That’s why (out of necessity), some great companies such as O’Neill out of Santa Cruz began the modern day wet suit designs that allow visitors, locals and surfers to be in the water anytime.
How does the temperature of the ocean affect the weather?
Warm ocean waters also accelerate the melting of ice sheets. Warmer sea surface temperatures affect nearby weather and are associated with reductions in coastal fog, wind strength, and marine layer thickness. This layer is a primary factor controlling the extent to which cool coastal air reaches inland, thus affecting inland weather patterns.