Climate

Overview of Climate 

The Atlantic crosses the tropics, temperate zones, and polar regions, and due to its vast north-south span, coupled with factors such as ocean currents and wind patterns, there is a rich and varied climate. Solar radiation, trade winds/westerlies driving currents, and the Gulf Stream shape its climate pattern. 

 

Main Influencing Factors 

1. Solar Radiation 

The sea surface absorbs solar radiation, heating the water and increasing evaporation, which forms humidity in the air and provides moisture for precipitation. Almost all land rainfall originates from ocean evaporation, particularly in tropical regions. (1)

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2. Trade Winds and Westerlies 

Trade winds and mid-latitude westerlies drive surface ocean currents through wind stress, pushing equatorial waters westward and forming counterclockwise/clockwise circulation, influencing the Atlantic thermohaline circulation and ocean-atmosphere interaction. (2)

 

3. Ocean Currents (particularly the Gulf Stream & AMOC) 

The Gulf Stream is a key component of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), transporting warm water from the tropics to northern Europe. (3)

Recent studies show that this current warmed at a rate higher than the global average from 2001 to 2023 and has moved landward, shifting approximately 6 ± 3 kilometres every decade. Its weakening (such as the AMOC weakening) will significantly affect European climate, South American precipitation patterns, and global heat distribution. (4)

For instance, a study published in Science Advances noted that since 1950, the AMOC has decreased by about 15% and is approaching a critical point. A collapse could lead to catastrophic consequences such as significant reductions in Amazon rainfall and drastic cooling in Europe. (5)