Why Britain & Norway's Coasts Don't Freeze: The Gulf Stream

The North Atlantic Current (extension of the Gulf Stream) transports warm subtropical water northeast across the Atlantic. It raises coastal sea temperatures by 5–10°C versus latitude equivalents, preventing ice formation and moderating air temps.

Without it, London (51°N) and Bergen (60°N) would resemble Labrador or Siberia. The current is part of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)—a critical climate regulator now monitored for weakening due to Greenland meltwater.