Why is it warmer in most of Europe than in northern California even though both are on the east side of an ocean and Europe is at higher latitude than California?
A) The famous California surf stirs up the surface water, bringing deeper colder ocean water to the surface.
B) Californians are just wimps; it really is warmer than Europe.
C) California weather is affected by the coastal mountains, which hold cold air along the west coast.
D) California is affected by a cold offshore current, whereas Europe has the warm north Atlantic current, the continuation of the Gulf Stream.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

California is affected by a cold offshore current, whereas Europe has the warm north Atlantic current, the continuation of the Gulf Stream. This warm ocean current brings warm water from the tropics up to Europe, which helps to moderate the temperatures in this region. In contrast, the California Current is a cold ocean current that flows southward along the western coast of North America, bringing cold water from the north down to California. Additionally, while Europe is at a higher latitude than California, it is actually closer to the equator and can receive more direct sunlight during certain times of the year, which also contributes to its warmer climate. The coastal mountains of California can also contribute to holding cold air along the west coast, further contributing to the cooler temperatures in the region.

Why Is It Warmer in Most of Europe Than in Northern