Continental and Maritime Environments
Factor
Average annual
temperature
Characteristics
 Add together the 12
average monthly
temperatures and
divide by 12
Significance
 Indicates whether a
location has a warm
climate (Toronto) or a
cool climate
(Yellowknife)
Temperature range
 Maximum temperature  Places that do not have
(warmest) – minimum
a minimum
temperature (coldest)
temperature below
indicates whether a
0°C will be on the west
place has a continental
coast.
climate (large range)
or a maritime climate
(a small range)
 Large >25°C =
continental
 Small <25°C =
maritime
Total precipitation
 Add monthly
 Indicates whether a
precipitation totals
place has a dry or wet
climate
 <1000 mm=
continental
 >1000 mm = maritime
Seasonal Distribution of
 ‘winter’ add
 Indicates the climate
Precipitation
precipitation totals for
influences at work and
oct, nov, dec, jan, feb,
therefore different
and march
climate types.
 If a place receives
most of its rainfall in
the winter, it has a
maritime climate
 Summer add
precipitation totals for
april, may, jun, jul, aug,
and sept.
 If a place receives
most of its rainfall in
the summer, it has a
continental climate
Complete the following chart for the climate graphs found on page 157 in your
textbook. Determine if each of the stations has a continental or a maritime climate.