Consider the following temperature and rainfall data: [Temperature data: 6.7-15.0°C throughout year, Rainfall: 8.1-16.8 cm throughout year] The climate to which this data pertains is:

Answer: (c) West European type

Cool summers (~15 °C), mild winters (~7 °C) and 8–17 cm of rain every month = West European (marine) type, like Ireland.

The idea

Read the two ends of the temperature row. The coldest month is about 7°C, well above freezing: a mild winter, so the sea is near. The warmest month is only 15°C: a cool summer. Then read the rain: every month is wet. Mild, cool and wet all year is the West European type.

Winter above freezing → not St. Lawrence type → Summer only 15°C → not China type → No dry summer → not Mediterranean → West European type

Why the others are wrong

(a) The St. Lawrence type has cold, snowy winters well below freezing.

(b) China type has hot summers (25 °C+).

(d) The Mediterranean has hot, dry summers — there is no dry month in the data.

The trap

Mild winters point to both West European and Mediterranean. The dry summer is the test.

Also know

Ocean currents and prevailing westerlies help keep western Europe mild. Similar marine climates occur in New Zealand and parts of southern Chile. Maritime climates have a smaller yearly temperature range than continental climates because water heats and cools slowly. Temperate broad-leaved trees such as oak and beech shed their leaves seasonally.