Final answer:
Continental climates experience larger annual temperature ranges due to the land's ability to heat up and cool down rapidly, leading to extreme temperatures. Maritime climates have milder temperatures due to the moderating influence of nearby oceans or large bodies of water.
Step-by-step explanation:
In considering the difference in average temperature between the warmest and coldest months, locations with a continental climate are generally expected to experience larger annual temperature ranges than maritime climates. Continental climates, found in areas distant from oceans, are characterized by more extreme temperatures with hot summers and cold winters. This is due to the fact that land heats up and cools down more quickly than water, leading to greater temperature variability.
On the other hand, maritime climates, which are influenced by the proximity to oceans or large bodies of water, tend to have milder and more stable temperatures throughout the year. The water bodies act to moderate the temperatures, resulting in cooler summers and warmer winters compared to continental interiors.
Therefore, places with a maritime climate, such as regions close to the coast, will typically have a smaller temperature range throughout the year than those with a continental climate situated inland, away from the moderating influence of water.