Depending upon their temperature, ocean currents can be classified into warm currents and cold currents. Warm currents flow from equatorial regions towards the polar regions and hence have a higher surface temperature. [from lower latitudes to higher latitudes]. These currents flow in the clockwise direction in the northern hemisphere and in the anti-clockwise direction in the southern hemisphere. Cold currents flow from polar regions towards the equator and have a lower surface temperature [ from higher latitudes to lower latitudes]. They flow in the anti-clockwise direction in the northern hemisphere and in the clockwise direction in the southern hemisphere
The following are the factors responsible for ocean currents: The Planetary winds, Temperatures, Salinity, The earth's rotation, Obstruction from land