How does the North Atlantic Current affect North Sea waters?

The North Atlantic Current significantly influences the North Sea by introducing warm, saline Atlantic waters into the basin. These waters, which possess salinities exceeding 35 parts per thousand, enter the North Sea primarily through the English Channel and the passage between the Shetland Islands and Norway.1

This influx of Atlantic water is a key component of the North Sea's hydrology, where it interacts with colder, less-saline water flowing from the Baltic Sea through the Skagerrak to establish a counterclockwise circulation pattern. By bringing in these warmer waters, the current helps regulate the temperature of the North Sea, contributing to the distinct salinity and thermal profiles observed across different regions of the basin.1