Which climate term refers to a temperate, year-round climate often found near large bodies of water?

• A. Marine
• B. Humid Subtropical (Southeast)
• C. Humid Continental (Truest 4-Seasons)
• D. Tundra

Answer: (A)

When nearby water moderates temperatures, you get a temperate, year-round climate with small differences between summer and winter. This maritime influence keeps summers from getting too hot and winters from becoming too cold, while humidity is often higher and rainfall can be spread throughout the year. That combination is the hallmark of a Marine climate.

The other options don’t fit as neatly. A humid subtropical climate has hot, humid summers and only milder winters, so it doesn’t maintain that consistently temperate feel year-round. A humid continental climate shows clear seasonality with hotter summers and much colder winters, reflecting less maritime influence. Tundra climates are cold and dry with very short growing seasons, far from temperate conditions.