Garie Beach

Beaches in Southern California and in Northeastern States?

Why is it the water at Southern California beaches colder than at Northeastern States beaches even though it is located farther south?

Public Comments

1. the pacific ocean is more wide open than the Atlantic. plus some of the currents pass through the Bering straight picking up very cold water.
2. Along the eastern states the continental shelf extends out several hundred miles into the Atlantic, and the ocean is only roughly 200-300 feet deep. This creates warmer water. It is also influenced by the gulf stream, a warm water current coming from the Caribbean area. Along the pacific coast the continental shelf is either much smaller or totally non existent. This allows the deeper, colder ocean currents to affect the surface temperature. For example: it's 26 miles from Los Angeles to Catalina Island, but in some places between them the Pacific is over 1000 feet deep.
3. wow i didnt know that, so my beaches in maine are warmer than southern california??