Which factor most contributes to cooler temperatures along the Northwest Coastal Region coast?

• A. Pacific Ocean cooling the air
• B. Proximity to the equator
• C. Desert conditions
• D. Strong sunlight

Answer: (A)

Coastal climates are cooled by the nearby ocean. Water has a high heat capacity, so it absorbs and releases heat slowly, keeping coastal air cooler in summer and milder in winter. In the Northwest, cold ocean currents and the frequent marine layer/fog further reduce daytime temperatures, making the coast noticeably cooler than inland areas. The other factors wouldn’t explain cooler coastal temperatures: being near the equator tends to warm the region, deserts are hot and dry, and strong sunlight adds heat rather than lowers it.