How do large bodies of water impact the continentality of an area?

Large bodies of water significantly influence the climate of nearby land areas through their unique thermal properties. Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it requires more energy to change its temperature compared to land. As a result, large bodies of water heat up more slowly during the day and cool down more slowly at night. This moderates temperature fluctuations in adjacent areas, leading to a milder climate.

In contrast, land tends to heat up quickly in the day and cool off quickly at night, which can create larger temperature variations. Therefore, areas close to oceans, lakes, or large rivers often experience less extreme temperatures than those further inland, affecting the overall climate and weather patterns of the region. This phenomenon is known as the effect of continentality, whereby the presence of water bodies reduces temperature extremes, thus impacting the local ecosystem and weather conditions.