How does the sea affect climates?

On hot days at the seaside, cool breezes blow inland from the sea. This is because lands warm up faster than water. Hot air over the land rises, and cool air from the sea is sucked in. At night, the reverse happens, because the land cools faster than water. In this way, the sea moderates the climate of coastlands.

Ocean currents also play a part. Onshore winds are warmed or chilled by ocean currents, and the effects of these winds are felt some way inland.

The effect of the oceans is slight in the hearts of continents. Central Asia and North America have extreme continental climates. Winters are far colder and summers hotter than coastlands in the same latitude.