How does prevailing winds affect surface currents like the Gulf Stream? Question 2 options: if the wind blows long enough a surface current begins to flow because when the air blows across the water some of it crashes into the surface water , pushing and pulling the water along. if the wind blows in short gusts it will cause the water to move the ocean currents move against the wind (in the opposite direction) wind from the Earth's atmosphere is not strong enough to transfer energy into the oceans this way.