- The oceans influence climate on long and short timescales and their link with the atmosphere forms the most dynamic component of the climate system as explained by the Global Development Research Center. Surface currents are primarily driven by atmospheric winds and flow in a circular motion. According to the NOAA's National Ocean Service, cold surface currents flow from the polar latitudes towards the equator where they are heated and form warm ocean currents that flow from the tropics to higher latitudes.
- Deep water currents are driven primarily by density differences brought about by heating and cooling; cold saline water is more dense than warm fresh water and sinks at higher latitudes, where it then flows back towards the equator as explained by the Global Development Research Center.
- Ocean currents influence the climate and weather by transporting and storing heat. As currents are heated at the equator, and flow to higher latitudes, they transport heat which warms the air and subsequently blows over and warms adjacent land masses as illustrated on the Global Development Research Center. Similarly cold currents cool surrounding air and land. The changes in air temperatures due to the varying ocean temperatures can impact the formation of weather systems such as tropical storms, which are promoted by warm ocean temperatures.