Final answer:
The statement that ocean temperatures near San Francisco reached record levels prior to the 1997 El Niño is true. San Francisco's moderate temperatures are influenced by its surrounding bodies of water. In 1995, Europe's high of 45 °C would convert to 113 °F on the Fahrenheit scale.
Step-by-step explanation:
The claim that ocean temperatures near San Francisco reached record levels prior to the 1997 El Niño is true. Before an El Niño event, the Pacific Ocean along the equatorial region often warms significantly, and these warmer waters can extend to the coasts of California. This phenomenon affects weather patterns globally and can lead to extreme weather conditions in some areas.
The bodies of water surrounding San Francisco, such as the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, help moderate the city's temperatures. During winter, the ocean retains heat longer than the land, resulting in a warmer San Francisco compared to Sacramento, which is further inland. Conversely, in summer, the bodies of water help to cool the city, thus making it cooler than Sacramento.
The unusually warm weather reported in Europe during the summer of 1995, with temperatures as high as 45 °C, would translate to 113 °F on the Fahrenheit scale. To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, we multiply by 9/5 and then add 32. Thus, the equation is (45 × 9/5) + 32 = 113.