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How does the Gulf Stream add heat and moisture to the atmosphere?

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Map of the North Atlantic Ocean showing major ocean currents, with warm currents like the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift highlighted in pink and cold currents in blue. Arrows indicate current directions and relative speeds, connecting the eastern coasts of North America, the western coasts of Europe and Africa, and the Arctic region. — Gulf Stream Major warm and cold currents of the North Atlantic Ocean.

The Gulf Stream acts as a critical mechanism for the poleward transfer of heat from the tropics to colder regions, significantly influencing the climate of northwestern Europe.1

The current adds heat and moisture to the atmosphere primarily through the interaction between its warm surface waters and the prevailing westerly winds. As these winds blow over the warm ocean surface, they absorb both thermal energy and moisture. This process moderates the climate of adjacent land areas, leading to significantly milder winters than would otherwise be expected at such high latitudes.21

Additionally, the Gulf Stream’s influence is dynamic; its complex network of eddies and meanders helps distribute heat and other properties across the North Atlantic. In specific regions, such as near the Grand Banks, the contact between warm Gulf Stream waters and cold, humid air—often associated with the Labrador Current—triggers widespread condensation, which is a primary cause of the region's frequent fog.32