Ocean Currents Ocean currents affect the temperatures of some regions. Some ocean currents carry warm water into the north. The British Isles in western Europe, for example, has a warmer climate than other areas at the same latitude, such as Labrador, Canada. A current called the Gulf Stream brings warm water to the British Isles. The Gulf Stream helps keep the climate warmer than it would be otherwise. After reaching far north, the current cools and flows south.

Other currents carry cold water away from polar regions and make the climate of areas they travel to colder than they would be.

Currents can warm or cool the air over them. The wind can carry that air into neighboring land areas.