Cities located on the coast generally experience a more moderate climate than those established at the same latitude but in inland areas. Summers tend to be cooler, while winters are warmer, leading to more comfortable conditions overall. The primary reason for this tendency is the presence of large bodies of water, which regulate the temperatures. Water’s heat capacity makes it a suitable buffer for energy, as demonstrated by its numerous applications in heat management technology. This report describes the phenomenon, its causes, and its underlying structures.
Water is a substance with a relatively high heat capacity, which is the ability to store heat without changing temperature. According to “Heat Capacity of Water,” water can take over ten times the energy to change its temperature by a set number of degrees compared to solid substances such as those present in the land. As Brennan points out, the ocean collects heat without significantly changing its temperature, absorbing more energy from the ground and air and cooling them down as a result. In the winter, it gives away the stored heat and makes the environment warmer. According to “Coastal Versus Inland Temperatures”, large lakes can have a similar effect, though to a lesser degree (2). As a consequence, coastal cities tend to avoid extreme temperatures in all seasons.
Water’s heat containment capability is the primary reason why the climate in coastal cities tends to be milder than in inland ones. Currents may also affect, as they carry water away and bring in volumes from elsewhere, which may be warmer or colder than the general temperature in the area. In general, however, the capability of water to act as a heat buffer is the cause for its tendency to adjust the temperature towards an average and prevent extremes from manifesting.
Works Cited
Brennan, John. “How Do Large Bodies of Water Affect the Climate of the Coastal Areas?” Sciencing. 2018. Web.
“Coastal Versus Inland Temperatures.” Web.
“Heat Capacity of Water.” The USGS Water Science School. Web.