Continental climate

Continental climate has at least one month averaging below and at least one month averaging above . • Dfa = Hot-summer humid continental climate; coldest month averaging below (or ), at least one month's average temperature above , and at least four months averaging above . No significant precipitation difference between seasons (neither the abovementioned set of conditions fulfilled). • Dfb = Warm-summer humid continental climate; coldest month averaging below (or ), all months with average temperatures below , and at least four months averaging above . No significant precipitation difference between seasons (neither the abovementioned set of conditions fulfilled). • Dfc = Subarctic climate; coldest month averaging below (or ) and one–three months averaging above . No significant precipitation difference between seasons (neither the abovementioned set of conditions fulfilled). • Dfd = Extremely cold subarctic climate; coldest month averaging below and one–three months averaging above . No significant precipitation difference between seasons (neither the abovementioned set of conditions fulfilled). • Dwa = Monsoon-influenced hot-summer humid continental climate; coldest month averaging below (or ), at least one month's average temperature above , and at least four months averaging above . At least ten times as much rain in the wettest month of summer as in the driest month of winter. • Dwb = Monsoon-influenced warm-summer humid continental climate; coldest month averaging below (or ), all months with average temperatures below , and at least four months averaging above . At least ten times as much rain in the wettest month of summer as in the driest month of winter. • Dwc = Monsoon-influenced subarctic climate; coldest month averaging below (or ) and one–three months averaging above . At least ten times as much rain in the wettest month of summer as in the driest month of winter. • Dwd = Monsoon-influenced extremely cold subarctic climate; coldest month averaging below and one–three months averaging above . At least ten times as much rain in the wettest month of summer as in the driest month of winter. • Dsa = Mediterranean-influenced hot-summer humid continental climate; coldest month averaging below (or ), average temperature of the warmest month above and at least four months averaging above . At least three times as much precipitation in the wettest month of winter as in the driest month of summer, and the driest month of summer receives less than . • Dsb = Mediterranean-influenced warm-summer humid continental climate; coldest month averaging below (or ), average temperature of the warmest month below and at least four months averaging above . At least three times as much precipitation in the wettest month of winter as in the driest month of summer, and the driest month of summer receives less than . • Dsc = Mediterranean-influenced subarctic climate; coldest month averaging below (or ) and one–three months averaging above . At least three times as much precipitation in the wettest month of winter as in the driest month of summer, and the driest month of summer receives less than . • Dsd = Mediterranean-influenced extremely cold subarctic climate; coldest month averaging below and one–three months averaging above . At least three times as much precipitation in the wettest month of winter as in the driest month of summer, and the driest month of summer receives less than . ==Seasons==

Annual precipitation in this zone is usually between and , The timing of intermediate spring-like or autumn-like temperatures in this zone vary depending on latitude and/or elevation. For example, in the Northern Hemisphere, spring may arrive as late as May in the northern parts of this zone, or early as March in the southern parts. In the Southern Hemisphere, spring may arrive as soon as September in the northern parts of this zone, or as late as November in the southern parts. Summers are warm or hot while winters are below freezing and sustain lots of frost. ==Climatology==

Continental climates exist where cold air masses infiltrate during the winter from shorter days and warm air masses form in summer under conditions of high sun and longer days. Places with continental climates are as a rule either far from any moderating effect of oceans or are so situated that prevailing winds tend to head offshore. Such regions get quite warm in the summer, achieving temperatures characteristic of tropical climates but are colder than any other climates of similar latitude in the winter. ==Neighbouring climates==

In the Köppen climate system, these climates grade off toward temperate climates equator-ward where winters are less severe and semi-arid climates or arid climates where precipitation becomes inadequate for tall-grass prairies and shrublands. In Europe these climates may grade off into oceanic climates (Cfb) or subpolar oceanic climates (Cfc) in which the influence of cool oceanic air masses is more marked toward the west. In western and eastern Asia, and the central United States these climates grade off toward humid subtropical climates (Cfa/Cwa), subtropical highland climates (Cwb), or Mediterranean climates (Csa/Csb) to the south. ==See also==