Near Water

Areas located in the interior away from large bodies of water have a continental climate. A continental climate is a climate type that develops away from the influence of the ocean. The temperature range tends to be large, meaning there is a big difference between the hottest temperature and the lowest temperature. Precipitation also tends to be lower.

During the day, the continental climate causes land masses to be greatly heated by the sun, thus intensely heating the air around it. At night the land cools quickly and the air temperature can drop dramatically.

Coastal location have a Maritime climate. Maritime meaning water. These areas have a relatively small difference between their Highest temperatures and their lowest temperatures. Large bodies of water act as a moderating effect on the land surrounding it.

Water heats and cools much slower then land, as a result the oceans and large lakes tend to be cool when the land masses are warm. When an air mass moves inland from a large body of water, it warms the cold areas in the winter and cools the warm land in the summer.

The maritime climate causes more precipitation, and influences the east coast and the west coast. Areas near the Great Lakes are a special case. They are far enough from the oceans to be classified as Continental climate, but a large enough to have a Maritime influence. Climate in these areas is sometimes called modified continental.