The climate of a particular seashore depends upon its location. In general, if the shoreline is part of a desert country, such as Saudi Arabia, the climate will be hot and dry. If it is part of a country in the frozen north, such as Siberia, the climate will be cold. The presence of the ocean, however, can create some climatic differences.

The ocean absorbs and retains some of the Sun's heat. In the winter, the warmer water releases heat into the colder atmosphere, helping to keep wintry temperatures warmer inland. In summer, when the water temperature is cooler than the air temperature, winds off the ocean help cool coastal areas.

Other effects of the ocean on climate result primarily from moderating ocean currents and storms at sea.

Moderating Currents

Ocean currents may be warm or cold, depending upon where they started from. The presence of a current...