How does the gulf stream affect the Eastern seaboard of the United States?

The Gulf Stream is a warm, fast moving ocean current coming from the Western Caribbean Sea and flowing through the Gulf of Mexico, Eastern Florida and moving along the eastern seaboard of the United States towards North Carolina where it now turns northeast.

The Gulf Stream brings along with it warm moisture creating a warming effect along the east coast of the U.S. This makes the area warmer than other places on the same latitude as the east coast. The increase in moisture in the atmosphere increases the general humidity along the coast.

The stream plays an important role in the growth and distribution of aquatic organisms which serve as food for various kinds of fish. The presence of the Gulf Stream brings an incredible diversity to wildlife and plant population which wouldn’t have been found on this latitude were it not for the effect of the Gulf Stream.

Ships sailing along this coast get a boost from the swift flow of the Gulf Stream current. The Gulf Stream has a remarkable ability to feed into hurricanes and tropical storms by intensifying them as they pass over warm water.