Atlantic North Equatorial Current

The Atlantic North Equatorial Current is an ocean current that flows westward near the equator, primarily influenced by winds. It is part of a larger system of equatorial currents, typically consisting of two westward-flowing currents separated by an eastward-flowing countercurrent. This current is driven by the Northeast Trade Winds between 10° and 20° N latitude.1

It receives water from the South Atlantic Equatorial Current and then turns north, contributing to currents like the Antilles, Caribbean, and Florida currents, which eventually form the Gulf Stream. Some of its waters also arc southward, becoming the Azores and Canary currents, which then swing west to join upwelling water off the coast of North Africa, feeding back into the Atlantic North Equatorial Current. This current influences the climate of the coasts it touches, bringing warmth and humidity to east coasts and dry conditions to west coasts.21