What does 'continentality' measure?

Continentality measures the temperature difference between the coldest and hottest months of a region. This concept is particularly relevant in understanding how geographical features influence climate. Areas that are more continental, meaning they are far from large bodies of water such as oceans, typically experience greater temperature variations throughout the year. This is because land heats up and cools down more rapidly than water. Consequently, regions with high continentality will tend to have extreme temperatures, while those close to large water bodies will have more moderate temperatures year-round. Thus, recognizing continentality gives insights into the climate characteristics of a location, making it a valuable metric for understanding seasonal temperature fluctuations.