Final answer:
The prairies experience a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, which corresponds to a Type D climate known for large seasonal temperature differences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The climate in the prairies can be classified as having hot summers and cold winters. This type of climate is known as a continental or Type D climate, which is characterized by large seasonal temperature differences with warm to hot summers and cold winters. The prairies, which are a type of temperate grassland, experience these pronounced annual fluctuations in temperature due to their location in the interiors of continents, away from large bodies of water. During winter, the temperatures can drop significantly, while the summer months can bring about very warm conditions suitable for plant growth in the spring, summer, and fall.