Theory question 203
ClimateState with specific examples, how each of the following factors affect(s) the climate of adjacent coastlands: (a) Winds (b) Ocean currents (c) Distance from the sea
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(a) Onshore winds from warm seas bring rain and moderate temperatures (south-west monsoon in West Africa; westerlies warming western Europe); offshore winds from the land are dry (harmattan bringing dust and dryness to the Guinea coast); cold winds lower temperatures.
(b) Warm currents raise temperatures and increase rainfall (Guinea current, North Atlantic Drift keeping Norwegian ports ice-free, Mozambique current); cold currents lower temperatures, cause fog and dry coasts (Benguela and the Namib, Canary current and the Sahara coast).
(c) Coastal places have smaller temperature ranges, higher humidity and usually more rain (Lagos, Freetown); inland places have greater ranges and less rain (Kano, Timbuktu).
Give a named example for each point.