It's a process known as upwelling, which plays out along the entire U.S. Pacific coast. Upwelling explains why water temperatures along California, Oregon and Washington beaches are much cooler than similar-latitude beaches in the East.
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It's a process known as upwelling, which plays out along the entire U.S. Pacific coast. Upwelling explains why water temperatures along California, Oregon and Washington beaches are much cooler than similar-latitude beaches in the East.
That is true because ocean waters rotate in clockwise fashion. This means Atlantic waters travel to the U.S. East Coast from the south and are relatively warm compared with West Coast Pacific waters that arrive from the north out of the chilly Gulf of Alaska.
Water temps are marginally higher on the east when compared with western beaches of the same latitude. Climate boffins reckon this is because ocean currents swirl in a clockwise direction in the northern hemisphere, pulling warm water in from the Equator.
The West Coast features the nicest weather in the country. Summers are not too hot and it also rains less than states on the East coast. In California, the weather is usually warm all year round and winters do not get uncomfortably cold besides snow is uncommon in most parts of the state.
The movement of Alaskan and northern ocean currents southward down the west coast results in much cooler ocean temperatures than at comparable latitudes on the east coast of the United States, where ocean currents come from the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic.
Warmest Ocean WaterFor the warmest ocean swim off the west coast of the United States, your best chances are Newport Beach in early August or at Avalon on Santa Catalina Island in mid to late August. At both places, the Pacific Ocean temperature peaks at 70 degrees F (21 °C).
The current runs through northern parts of the Pacific Ocean and cools off. It then runs down the west coast of North America making the beaches cooler. On the east coast of North America, the Atlantic coastline current is basically warm water on it way north.
Southern England offer the best weather with mild winters. The south coast of England is the sunniest part of the country. Southeast: Southeast has more temperature variations with warmer summers and cooler winters.
Distance from sediment sources: Beaches located far from major sediment sources, such as rivers or coastal erosion, tend to have clearer water. Sediments suspended in the water, including particles like sand, silt, or clay, can decrease water clarity and make it appear murky.