Which region's winters are mild and cool due to the Gulf of Mexico, with summers that are wet and hot and frequent thunderstorms?

• A. South Region
• B. Southeast
• C. Northwest
• D. Midwest

Answer: (A)

Think about how the Gulf of Mexico shapes nearby climates. Warm gulf waters act like a heat reservoir, keeping winter temperatures mild along the southern coast. In summer, the same moisture-laden air rises and cools, producing frequent afternoon thunderstorms, so summers are hot and wet. This pattern fits the South Region, which includes the Gulf Coast states and experiences these subtropical conditions. The other regions have different climate influences—northwest and midwest tend to have cooler, drier winter conditions and less tropical thunderstorm activity—so they don’t match this description as well.