The Gulf Stream is an important source of heat transport from the tropics and sub-tropics to the North Atlantic and eventually, the North Sea. Today’s environmental satellite image shows the warm Gulf Stream’s core (deep red) flowing off the Atlantic coastline. A few days ago, a low pressure system exited the coast and its wind field literally caused a portion of the warm water to follow it off to the east. The low is gone now, having left a swirling gyre of warm water to slowly dissipate as the main stream continues its journey out into the Atlantic. Its a beautiful picture of how the atmosphere and ocean physical processes connect and interact to distribute heat energy around the planet in a most artistic pattern. Image from the University of Wisconsin Space Science and Engineering Center
Ken Nash, Director, Physical Sciences and Climatology
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