Which of the following responses best describes the main reason why the coasts of Norway are ice-free in winter?

• A. The northward movement of the Gulf Stream
• B. Norway's large numbers of fjords
• C. The structure of the Scandinavian Mountains
• D. Norway's long periods of sunshine in the summer

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that heat transport by ocean currents shapes winter climate. The warm Gulf Stream carries tropical water northward and becomes part of the North Atlantic Drift, warming the coastal seas and, in turn, the nearby air. This influx of heat keeps Norway’s coastal waters above freezing and reduces the likelihood of sea ice forming along the coast in winter, so the coasts stay ice-free.

Water’s high heat capacity means it stores heat and releases it gradually, making ocean currents a powerful and ongoing source of warmth for regions at higher latitudes. The Gulf Stream’s warmth is the direct mechanism that explains why Norway’s coast remains ice-free despite its northern position.

Other features like fjords and the shape of the Scandinavian Mountains influence local weather patterns, but they don’t provide the large-scale heat that comes from the warm Atlantic current. Likewise, long sunshine in summer doesn’t determine winter ice conditions, because winter sea ice depends mostly on heat brought by ocean currents rather than daylight hours.