Science Common Sense
1830 - How do the ocean currents near Taiwan affect the island's climate in different seasons
Imagine you're in Taiwan, and you're surrounded by ocean water on all sides but the west. Now, the ocean currents near Taiwan play a big role in the island's climate. Here's how:
Summer (June to August): During the summer, the Kuroshio Current, a warm ocean current from the Philippines, flows northward along Taiwan's east coast. This warm current makes Taiwan's summers hot and humid.
Winter (December to February): In the winter, the same Kuroshio Current is still there, but a cold air mass from China moves in from the north. This balance makes Taiwan's winters mild and cool.
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November): In these seasons, the ocean currents are a mix of warm and cool water. This balance makes Taiwan's springs and autumns pleasant, with mild temperatures and comfortable humidity.
In short, the ocean currents around Taiwan help keep the island's climate comfortable and not too extreme.