Continental locations typically have greater temperature extremes than maritime locations at the same latitude. This is due to differences in heat capacity and the moderating effects of land and water bodies.
Water has a higher heat capacity than land, which means it takes longer for water to heat up or cool down than land. As a result, maritime locations near large bodies of water, such as oceans or seas, tend to experience more moderate temperatures throughout the year. Water acts as a heat sink, absorbing and storing heat during warmer periods and releasing it during colder periods. This helps moderate temperature extremes, keeping summers cooler and winters milder.
In contrast, continental locations are characterized by vast land masses that heat up and cool down faster. In these areas, the absence of a nearby large water body limits water's moderating influence on temperature. As a result, continental regions can experience hot summers and cold winters with more extreme temperature extremes. During summer, the land heats up faster, leading to higher temperatures, while in winter, the land loses heat rapidly, resulting in colder temperatures.
Additionally, mountains or other topographical features in continental areas can further exacerbate temperature extremes. Mountains can create barriers that prevent the movement of air masses, leading to localized climate patterns and the trapping of warm or cold air, amplifying temperature variations.
Overall, the differences in heat capacity, moderating effects of water bodies, and geographical features contribute to the heightened extremes of temperature typically observed in continental locations compared to maritime locations at the same latitude.