Some coastal regions of the world have cooler summers and warmer winters than inland regions at the same latitude. What accounts for this difference in climates?

A.
Coastal areas receive more sunlight.
B.
The ocean moderates air temperatures.
C.
Prevailing winds moderate the weather.
D.
Coastal areas are always flat.

1 answer

The correct answer is B. The ocean moderates air temperatures.

Coastal regions tend to have milder climates because water has a high heat capacity, meaning it can absorb and store heat more effectively than land. This property causes coastal areas to experience cooler summers and warmer winters compared to inland regions at the same latitude, which can create more extreme temperature variations.