In the western united states the oceanic influence of the pacific ocean does not penetrate very far beyond the coastline.

The Gulf Stream has a clear example of the importance of the Pacific Ocean in the western climate of the United States, since in case that current changes, as it happened in 1850, a Mini Ice Age could be created, which caused the freezing of rivers in the United States (remember the painting of Emanuel Gottlieb "George Washington Crossing the Delaware", where the soldiers were seen paddling in a frozen river). The warm climate, which year after year has the West of the USA, in contrast to the cold observed in the East Coast, shows that the Gulf Stream, not only benefits the West of the USA; it could also change the climate of North America and Europe (bringing another mini Ice Age) if this current changes due to climate change.