How does the Canary Current affect the climate along the western edge of the Sahara Desert?

The Canary Current significantly influences the climate along the western edge of the Sahara Desert, creating a narrow coastal zone characterized by relatively cool and uniform temperatures.12

The current, which is cooled by the upwelling of deep ocean water caused by offshore winds, affects the region in several ways:

• Temperature Regulation: The cold water of the current helps to lessen the intense heating effect of the Sahara, resulting in coastal temperatures that are much cooler than would be expected for the region's latitude.314
• Atmospheric Effects: By cooling the air, the current reduces convectional rainfall, which contributes to the extreme aridity of the western coastal margin.14
• Humidity and Fog: Despite the lack of rainfall, the influence of the current leads to higher humidity levels and the frequent occurrence of fog and low-level clouds along the coast.14

These conditions distinguish the western edge of the desert from the interior, where high-pressure cells and extreme temperature fluctuations dominate the climate.12