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Distance from a large Body of Water

Body of Water off Highway 40, near HintonA large body of water has a tremendous buffering effect on the local climate. Much more energy is required to heat water than land, and water holds heat much longer than land. As a result, the temperature of a large body of water is generally warmer in winter and cooler in summer than the surrounding area. Depending on the size of the body of water, this buffering effect may also be felt on the land in its vicinity. Winds that move over a large body of water will pick up some of the moisture from the water. The moist air acts as a moderating or buffering influence on any land it blows over.

Reprinted from Alberta Natural Regions Poster Series Manual with the permission of Alberta Community Development, Parks and Protected Areas.

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