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How does the Gulf Stream influence the climate of southwestern England?

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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 system significantly influences the climate of southwestern England by contributing to the region's extraordinary winter mildness. As part of the broader North Atlantic circulation, the current helps transport heat toward high latitudes, where it is released into the atmosphere.12

Prevailing westerly winds carry the warmth and moisture from these waters to northwestern Europe, moderating the local climate. This warming effect is so pronounced that it allows for the growth of winter vegetables and flowers, as well as the presence of subtropical vegetation and lemon trees in southern Devonshire, despite the region's northern latitude. Without this influence, the climate in this part of the world would be significantly cooler and potentially drier.13