Compare the general temperature and direction of flow of the current that flows off the east coast of the United States with the temperature and direction of flow of the current that flows off the west coast of the United States.

To compare the general temperature and direction of flow of the currents off the east and west coasts of the United States, one can refer to oceanographic charts and data. Several sources provide this information, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC). Here's how you can access this data:

1. Visit the NOAA website (www.noaa.gov) or the NDBC website (www.ndbc.noaa.gov).
2. Look for the section or tab related to oceanographic data, currents, or marine observations.
3. On the NOAA website, you can navigate to the "Ocean" or "Marine" section, and then locate the specific data category you need. On the NDBC website, you can click on "Data" and explore various data options.
4. Once you find the appropriate section, locate the data specific to the east coast and the west coast currents.

When analyzing the temperature and direction of flow of the currents:

1. Temperature: Look for information related to sea surface temperature (SST) or ocean temperature. These data sets usually feature temperature maps or charts, displaying the temperature distribution across different regions of the ocean.
- Find the SST data for the east coast of the United States and the west coast of the United States. These datasets will give you an idea of the general temperature patterns along each coast.
- Note that the temperature can vary throughout the year and may be influenced by factors like ocean currents, seasons, and local weather patterns.

2. Direction of flow: Explore the data related to ocean currents or the Gulf Stream system for the east coast and the California Current for the west coast.
- Look for specific charts or maps that depict the direction of the currents in these regions.
- Pay attention to the prevailing current direction, but keep in mind that currents can be influenced by various factors like tides, winds, and coastal geography, so they might not always flow in a single consistent direction.

By accessing these resources and following these steps, you can compare the general temperature and direction of flow of the currents off the east and west coasts of the United States.