Look at two regions of the United States, the plains of Kansas and the coastal region of Virginia. Which is a true statement about the weather of these regions.

A) Kansas has more moderate temperatures because it is away from the Atlantic Ocean.

B) Virginia has more moderate temperatures because it is near the Atlantic Ocean.

C) Virginia has more moderate temperatures because it is at a lower latitude than Kansas.

D) Kansas has more moderate temperatures because of the winds that cross the prairies of the state.

The correct answer is:

B) Virginia has more moderate temperatures because it is near the Atlantic Ocean.

Virginia is heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and its currents, especially the coastal part of the state. Close to the coast of Virginia passes a warm ocean current, which is also very moist. That makes the country's climate pleasant, with sufficient amounts of precipitation. The summers are very nice without extremes, and the winters are mild and also without any extremes in the temperature.

Kansas, on the other hand, is heavily influenced by the continental air masses. That makes it dry and hot in the summer, and extremely cold and snowy in the winter, with very big variations in the temperatures and the weather conditions from season to season.