Kontinentalitás

Kontinentalitás refers to the degree to which a climate is influenced by a large landmass. It is a measure of how far inland a location is from the moderating influence of oceans or large seas. Climates with high continentalitás are characterized by significant temperature variations between seasons and between day and night. Summers tend to be hot, and winters are cold, with a large annual temperature range. Precipitation can also be more variable in continental climates.

In contrast, locations with low continentalitás, typically coastal areas, experience more moderate temperatures. The proximity to large bodies of water moderates temperature fluctuations, resulting in cooler summers and milder winters, and a smaller annual temperature range. The ocean's heat capacity helps to absorb heat in the summer and release it in the winter, preventing extreme temperatures. Coastal regions also often receive more consistent precipitation due to proximity to moisture sources.

The concept of continentalitás is crucial in climatology for understanding regional weather patterns and climate zones. It helps explain why inland areas of continents, such as Siberia or the Great Plains of North America, experience much harsher winters and hotter summers than coastal regions at similar latitudes. Factors such as prevailing wind direction and the presence of mountain ranges can also influence the degree of continentalitás experienced in a particular area.