Name: _____________________________________
Date: ________________________________
Science 10: Weather
Ocean Currents and Their Effect on Weather
Trace over the ocean currents on the map below. Use blue for the cold currents and red for the warm currents.
Then answer the questions.
1. What is the relationship between the temperature of the ocean current and its flow direction (in relation to
the equator)?
2. What is the general relationship between the current’s temperature and the side of the ocean it is on?
3. Along the east coast of a continent, what is the general relationship between the current’s temperature and
the direction of flow?
4. Along the west coast of a continent, what is the general relationship between the current’s temperature and
the direction of flow?
5. What direction do gyres rotate in the :
(a) Northern hemisphere
(b) Southern hemisphere
6. How do you think the temperature of the ocean current could affect weather on the coast?
(a) A cool current would ...
(b) A warm current would ...
Name: _____________________________________
Date: ________________________________
Science 10: Weather
Ocean Currents and Their Effect on Weather
Answers
Trace over the ocean currents on the map below. Use blue for the cold currents and red for the warm currents.
Then answer the questions.
1. What is the relationship between the temperature of the ocean current and its flow direction (in relation to
the equator)?
Currents coming from the equator are warm, currents travelling towards the equator are cold.
Water near the equator is warmer due to direct sunlight and water near the poles is cold due to
indirect sunlight. Movement of currents is determined by convection.
2. What is the general relationship between the current’s temperature and the side of the ocean it is on?
West side of ocean = cool currents
East side of ocean = warm current
3. Along the east coast of a continent, what is the general relationship between the current’s temperature and
the direction of flow?
East side is always warm currents
Northern hemisphere: east is rising up towards poles and to the right
Southern hemisphere: east is falling down towards the poles and to the right
4. Along the west coast of a continent, what is the general relationship between the current’s temperature and
the direction of flow?
West side is always cold currents
Northern hemisphere: west is falling down towards the equator and to the left.
Southern hemisphere: west is rising up towards the equator and to the left.
5. What direction do gyres rotate in the :
(a) Northern hemisphere – clockwise (to the right)
(b) Southern hemisphere – counter-clockwise (to the left)
6. How do you think the temperature of the ocean current could affect weather on the coast?
(a) A cool current would ... bring cool, drier air (because cool air holds less vapour) which is dense
and sinks, so clear skies.
Name: _____________________________________
Date: ________________________________
(b) A warm current would ... bring warm, moist air (because warm air holds more vapour), which is
less dense and rises, cools, and condenses, so clouds and possible precipitation.