Atlantic North Equatorial Current 
The broad, slow, west=setting Atlantic North Equatorial Current 
is generated mainly by the northeast trade winds. It originates near 
the longitude of 26°W between about 15° and 30°N and flows across the 
ocean past 60°W, where it forms the Antilles Current north of the West 
Indies; the part of the current between 12° and 15°N joins the Guiana 
Current and forms the Caribbean Current. 
Surface current data show the current to migrate north and south 
seasonally; this migration results from the displacement of the Azores 
high between about 29°N, 31°W during winter and 34°N, 35°W during 
summer. Figure 5 shows the seasonal outlines of the current. 
Mean speed differs slightly in different parts of the current; 
it appears higher in the southern part and decreases northward. Speeds 
are generally lower during winter, when the Atlantic Equatorial Countercurrent 
is not evident and the west-setting Atlantic North and South Equatorial 
Currents meet at about 9°N. 
Table 4 shows the changes in speed of the current in the prevailing 
west-northwest direction. From July through December, when the Equatorial 
Countercurrent to the south is best defined, higher speeds occur more 
frequently. From January through June, particularly during March, April, 
and May, when the countercurrent is least evident, lower speeds occur 
most frequently. 
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