Why does Estonia receive mild winter air from the North Atlantic?

Estonia experiences mild winter air from the North Atlantic because the country lies in the path of air masses transported by cyclonic winds originating from that ocean. These winds carry warm air during the winter months, which helps moderate the climate compared to regions further east at the same latitude.1

This phenomenon is part of a broader climatic pattern where prevailing westerly winds carry warmth and moisture from the North Atlantic—influenced by the North Atlantic Current—toward Europe. While Estonia's climate is also subject to continental influences that can bring periods of severe cold, the periodic arrival of this mild maritime weather from the North Atlantic serves to temper the winter season.234