How does the gulf stream affect the climate of Europe?

Why is it so warm in northern latitudes in Europe? Rome is same latitude as NYC. It's NOT the Gulf Stream.

• I rhave even taken geology and climatology in college (before I really got it that Europe has great weather yet is so far north). I read recently that some scientist said that even if the Gulf Stream quits or slows that it won't hardly affect Europe all that much cause 'no one really knows' why Europe is so much warmer. Or is it that the USA is so much 'colder' than other latitudes. I mean, the bottom third of Canada seems to have lots of cities and the lower third of Russia too, people who don't live like eskimos. Thanks.

• Answer:

  I was taught at school (in Britain) that the Gulf Stream was a part of this but that there is the more general influence of the ocean, which is gradually heated by the summer sun, then as prevailing winds (which are usually from the west) blow over it in the winter they have a warming effect on Europe. In the summer the ocean is generally cooler than the land so the prevailing winds have a cooling effect. Vancounver on Canada's west coast has a more moderate climate for the same reasons. You can find more detail in the article at the link below.