It sinks down the Antarctic slope into the basin. Climate The far northern and southern parts of the Atlantic Ocean have long, cold winters and short, cool summers. In these regions, the winter air may be much colder than the water. The variation between surface and air temperature causes low fog, sometimes called sea smoke , to form. In the Grand Banks and other areas, warm, moist air moves over cold water, producing heavy fog that may be dangerous for ships.
Icebergs float in the far north and south, and are hazards to navigation.
Near the equator, the climate stays hot all year. Cyclical events also affect weather patterns and climate. Another cyclical event, the North Atlantic Oscillation, takes place about every 10 years. It may affect temperature, rainfall, drought, and storm conditions in Europe and Africa. In these regions, the temperature drops off quickly below 330 feet.