Final answer:
Continental climates have variable precipitation rates, with central Canada's Type D climate showing variability based on geography, from 80-100 inches on the west coast to as low as 10 inches in the north. Temperate grasslands receive 25-75 cm of annual rainfall, supporting dense grassland ecosystems. Conversely, tropical rainforests can receive over 22,500 mm during monsoon seasons, signifying the vast difference in rainfall among global biomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of rain continental climates receive can vary significantly depending on the specific location and environmental factors. For instance, a Type D climate, which is common in central parts of Canada, exhibits warm summers and cold winters with varying levels of precipitation. The west coast of Canada is notably wetter, receiving between 80 and 100 inches of precipitation annually, while the coastal areas of the Maritime Provinces get up to 60 inches. However, the northern territory of Nunavut may only see around 10 inches per year, primarily in the form of snow. Other continental areas, like the temperate grasslands, typically receive annual precipitation ranging from 25 cm to 75 cm (9.8-29.5 inches). These regions have dense vegetation, primarily grasses, due to the packed soil with plant roots and rhizomes, despite the lower annual rainfall that makes them unsuitable for large trees.
Contrasting with these are tropical rainforests which, although covering only 6% of the planet's surface, receive nearly half of the world's rainfall, with some areas getting as much as 22,500 mm during the monsoon season. Rainfall can also be influenced by geographical features, as seen in New Zealand, where the western coasts and the Southern Alps receive high precipitation due to prevailing westerly winds and orographic lifting, while the eastern sides experience a rain shadow effect, leading to drier conditions. In some subtropical deserts, precipitation can be as low as 2 cm (0.8 inches) annually.