Europe and Adjacent Ocean Environments

Though considered a continent, EuropeEurope is largely a series of peninsulas attached to AsiaAsia. The nearby water bodies moderate the temperatures effectively, particularly considering the high-latitude location of the continent. The maritime influence of theGyreNorth Atlantic North Atlantic Gyre, especially theBermuda Bermuda-Azores HighAzores High and North Atlantic DriftAtlantic OceanBermuda-Azores HighNorth Atlantic Drift, set up a Marine West Coast (Cfb) climate north of the AlpsMountainsAlps with frequentmaritime polar presence of maritime polar (mP) air massesMaritime polar (mP) air mass and, except for cases of blocking highs, mid-latitude wave cyclone passages. The Bermuda-Azores High, along with the stabilizing influence of the Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea in summer and Canary CurrentCanary Current, generate Mediterranean (Csa and Csb) climates south of the AlpsAlps Mountains. Eastward into central Europe, the maritime influence wanes, as the Siberian HighSiberian High and its continental Arcticcontinental Arctic (cA) andcontinental polar continental polar (cP) air massesContinental polar (cP) air mass become increasingly dominant. Eastern EuropeEurope, including European RussiaRussia, are dominated by Humid Continental (Cfa and Cfb) climates, as continentalityContinentality becomes more pronounced. Northern Russia and ScandinaviaScandinavia have Humid Continental—mild summer (also known as Subarctic; Dfc) and Tundra (ET) climatesTundra (ET) climate. The entire Mediterranean arc has dry summers and humid winters, with localized topography that creates powerful and important local wind systems.