Which statement best describes the Gulf Stream's effect on climate?

Which statement best describes the Gulf Stream's effect on climate?

• A. The climate of Western Europe is significantly warmer and milder than it would be otherwise
• B. It cools Western Europe
• C. It has no climate effect
• D. It makes Western Europe significantly warmer and milder

Answer: (A)

Heat transfer by ocean currents can shape regional climates. The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the tropics toward Europe, and as this heat moves north, it warms the surrounding air, especially in winter. This makes Western Europe much milder than you would expect at those latitudes. So the climate there is significantly warmer and milder than it would be otherwise. It does not cool the region, and the effect is real, not nonexistent. While it is true that Western Europe becomes warmer, the key point is the comparison to how it would be without the Gulf Stream.

Heat transfer by ocean currents can shape regional climates. The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the tropics toward Europe, and as this heat moves north, it warms the surrounding air, especially in winter. This makes Western Europe much milder than you would expect at those latitudes. So the climate there is significantly warmer and milder than it would be otherwise. It does not cool the region, and the effect is real, not nonexistent. While it is true that Western Europe becomes warmer, the key point is the comparison to how it would be without the Gulf Stream.