California Current

The California Current is a warm water current that flows southward along the western coast of North America, originating from the North Pacific Ocean. It plays a key role in transporting cooler, nutrient-rich waters southward, supporting rich marine ecosystems and fisheries. The current influences the region’s climate by bringing cooler air temperatures and moisture, impacting weather patterns along California’s coast. It is part of the larger North Pacific Gyre and interacts with other currents and wind patterns, shaping the ocean’s biological productivity and contributing to phenomena like upwelling, which provides essential nutrients for marine life.