Discussion » Questions » Weather » Why is the Atlantic ocean so much warmer than the Pacific ocean?
carbonproduct

Why is the Atlantic ocean so much warmer than the Pacific ocean?

Posted - July 2, 2018
Tag : Oceans

Responses


  • "All the hot air coming out of Washington D.C."
      July 2, 2018 6:42 AM MDT
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  • 13071
    AH AHAHAHAH!! So unfortunately true. ;) 
      July 2, 2018 6:45 AM MDT
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  • 10676

    Currents (rivers of water that run clockwise in the N. hemisphere)

    Overall, the pacific is warmer than the Atlantic simply due to its size (more surface area to be heated by the sun).  However, due to the Gulf Stream current (off the US eastern coast), more warm water is pulled into the Atlantic from the tropics than is replaced with cold water from the Canary current (off the S. Europe and N. Africa coasts).  Off the West Coast, the California and Alaskan current bring cold water down from the north pacific current as well as some from the Alaskan current in the Gulf of Alaska.    
    These currents are the reason hurricanes can ride up the entire east coast of the US, but rarely make it up to Southern California.  Sea temperatures off the SoCal coast usually range in the low 60's (F) while sea temperatures off the S. US Atlantic coast can be in the mid 80's or so.

      July 2, 2018 7:55 AM MDT
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  • 44677
    I was going to say that, but I knew nobody would understand it. (I have only a vague clue what you are talking about.) Simple thermodynamics. You forgot to mention density currents and salinity differences v temperature.
      July 2, 2018 2:10 PM MDT
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  • 10676
    I tried to make it as simple as possible.  Yes, there's a whole lot more to it.  
      July 2, 2018 4:30 PM MDT
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  • 44677
    I only found one reference that what you say is true, but I cannot find any scientific evidence. There are so many factors involved, I personally would find it impossible to calculate a definitive answer.
      July 2, 2018 7:55 AM MDT
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  • 23714
    These hot guys warmed it up.

    Image result for hot guys in the ocean This post was edited by WelbyQuentin at July 2, 2018 2:10 PM MDT
      July 2, 2018 9:12 AM MDT
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  • 13395
    There is a lot more shipping traffic on the Atlantic Ocean waters. So many vessels creating friction moving through the rough salty ocean waters generates a lot of heat.
      July 2, 2018 2:00 PM MDT
    1

  • 44677
    LOL. Not to mention all of the submarines hiding out under the surface. I think the Pacific has more whales. That may make up the difference.
      July 2, 2018 2:12 PM MDT
    1

  • 14795
    Because the Pacific ocean has bigger S'warms of fish .... It all Boils down to that scientifically I think...:)  
      July 2, 2018 2:41 PM MDT
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  • 10676
    It's those pesky electric eels isn't it.  
      July 2, 2018 4:27 PM MDT
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  • 14795
    That and the Sun fish that bask a lot i think....of course there is the Basking sharks as well the H'eat up all over  the oceans....:)D
      July 3, 2018 2:28 AM MDT
    1

  • 5835
    If you google the question you learn that nobody knows a d*m thing, but they won't admit it. They try to baffle you with baloney.
      July 3, 2018 12:17 AM MDT
    1

  • 14795
    Oh....I just love the type of Italian dred sasusage meat.... You could Parma me off with that anytime...:)
      July 3, 2018 2:33 AM MDT
    0

  • 5835
    We have to be scientific about this: we vote. But of course we don't call it "vote", we call it "consensus".
      July 3, 2018 4:38 AM MDT
    0