Are East Coast beaches warmer?

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.



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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.

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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.

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