Continentality Notes
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2.5.1 Define the term temperature range. (k)
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2.5.2 Analyze the relationship between range in temperature and distance from the
ocean. (a)
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2.5.5 Describe the relationship between seasonal level of precipitation and distance
from the ocean. (k)
Temperature Range
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The difference between the highest and the lowest average monthly
temperatures of a region.
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Regions with a large or high temperature range would experience
extremes of temperature between hot summers & cold winters
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Regions with a small or low temperature range would have moderated
temperatures with warm summers & cool winters
Continental vs. Maritime Climates
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We usually find that as the distance from the ocean increases the annual
temperature range also increases.
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Continental climates experience greater extremes of temperature than coastal
climates at the same latitude.
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Continental Climate: climate that develops away from the influence of the ocean
accompanied by a large temperature range & low precipitation
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Maritime Climate: climate that is strongly influenced by the closeness to an ocean or
other large water body accompanied by small temperature range & high
precipitation
a. Continental Climates
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The plains region of Saskatchewan, for example, experience a continental climate.
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The winter temperatures are very cold. The summer temperatures are fairly hot.
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It is interesting to note that summer temperatures in Central Labrador are often
higher than summer temperatures in the island portion of the province.
World Geo 3200/3202
Continentality Notes
b. Maritime Climates
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Coastal Newfoundland would experience a Maritime climate.
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The winter temperatures would be very mild. The summer temperatures would be
warm but not hot.
The Moderating Effect of Water
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Bodies of water have a moderating effect on land temps
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Oceans & large lakes heat up & cool down more slowly than the surrounding land
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In summer, water remains cooler than land surrounding it. Winds from the water
cool the surrounding land
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In winter, bodies of water retain their heat & are warmer than the surrounding land
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Winds blowing off the water warm the surrounding countryside
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Therefore, maritime locations near a large body of water, have cool summers &
milder winters than continental locations far from the water body
Climate Graphs
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You will need to understand climate graphs to analyze climate statistics.
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The left scale indicates the temperature and it is graphed as a line, blue is common.
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The right scale is for precipitation and is graphed as a bar graph, red is common.
World Geo 3200/3202