1. How does the distance from the
sea (continentality) affect
climate?

2. What is Continentality?
“Continentality, a measure of the difference between
continental and marine climates characterized by the increased
range of temperatures that occurs over land compared with
water. ” (Britannica)

3. Sea heats up slowly
and cools slowly!

4. Land heats up quickly
and cools quickly

5. Heat Capacity
• Specific heat capacity is the amount of energy
required to raise the temperature of one gram of
a substance by one degree Celsius.
• Land has a lower heat capacity.
• The sea has a higher heat capacity.

6. Other Factors
• The ocean like the air but unlike land
is subject to vertical mixing and
convective movements.
• The sun is able to warm only the thin
upper surface of the land.
• Land (solids) is a better conductor of
heat.

7. Inland is Inland is
Summer Winter
warmer colder
Coast is Coast is
Summer Winter
Colder warmer

13. Brest Volgograd
30
18
16 25
Average Temprature (Celcius)
Average Temperatue (celcius)
14
20
12
15
10
8 10
6
5
4
2 0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0 -5
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month -10
Month
Bratislava
25
20
Average Temperatue (celcius)
15
10
5
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
-5
Month

14. British Isles

15. U.S.A.