<p>There is no such criterion. However, I'm sure one could devise one. For example, at any given location collect the differentials between daily maximum and minimum temperature. Average these differentials over each month and plot month vs mean differential temperature. Do this for many oceanic, continental and coastal locations. Plot the graphs, compare, and define your own criteria for different categories. </p>

<p>But why? What purpose would it serve?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-29T09:41:41.450Z
2016-04-29T09:41:41.450Z
Gordon Stanger
<p>The borders are fluent between continentality and maritimity. However, there are several indices, aiming to clarify this question. For instance, the probably earliest one is from Gorczynski (1920):
<span class="math-container">$$K_{Gorczynski} = 1.6 \cdot \frac{A}{\sin \varphi} - 14$$</span>
where <span class="math-container">$A$</span> is the annual temperature amplitude of the location and <span class="math-container">$\varphi$</span> the latitude of the location. Another one, which is more often used, is from Iwanow (1956):
<span class="math-container">$$K_{Iwanow} = 260 \cdot \frac{\Delta T}{\varphi}$$</span>
where <span class="math-container">$\varphi$</span> is the latitude again and
<span class="math-container">$$\Delta T=T_\mathrm{max} - T_\mathrm{min}$$</span>
where <span class="math-container">$T_\mathrm{max}$</span> is the temperature maximum and <span class="math-container">$T_\mathrm{min}$</span> the temperature minimum. The results are characterized as following:</p>

<ul>
<li>K &lt; 100: maritime</li>
<li>100 &lt; K &lt; 200: continental</li>
<li>K > 200: strongly continental</li>
</ul>

<p>To answer the second part of the question: as the indices show, the latitude needs to be considered. Currently I do not have the original publication by Gorczynski or Iwanow here, however there are some papers comparing different indices (there are several more), for example <a href="https://www.erdkunde.uni-bonn.de/archive/1989/continentality-indices.-methodological-revision-and-proposition/at_download/attachment" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this one</a>. Furthermore, the indices can be looked up in the most climatology basic literature and <a href="https://books.google.de/books?id=-mwbAsxpRr0C&amp;pg=PA304&amp;lpg=PA304&amp;dq=Gorczynski%201920#v=onepage&amp;q=Gorczynski%201920&amp;f=false" rel="nofollow noreferrer">encyclopedia</a>. At least, it is needed to mention that Gordon Stanger hits the point in his answer in the last sentence: The continentality is just <em>one</em> variable - there are several more. Look for climate classifications, like those from Köppen &amp; Geiger or Schultz.</p>

<p><em>Edit: Original reference</em></p>

<p>Gorczynski, L. (1920): Sur le calcul du degre de continentalisme et son application dans la climatologie. In: Geografiska Annaler 2, p. 324-331. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2016-05-07T21:37:28.247Z
2018-12-25T15:11:59.863Z
2018-12-25T15:11:59.863Z
Arne
<p>Is there a specific temperature range that is considered to be the change from Continentality to Oceanity? Would this temperature change with latitude? </p>

<p>Would be nice if someone could point me to some literature on the subject. </p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-29T14:09:36.943Z
You mean something like 'The temperature is XX K lower above the ocean than above the land'? Have a look for the key word 'Land-Sea-Breeze'. Land breezes and sea breezes evolve through differences in the land surface and sea surface temperatures. But depending on the day time the one or the other evolves.
daniel.heydebreck
<climate>
Continentality/Oceanity
Dr. Flow
# Continentality/Oceanity

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-29)

Is there a specific temperature range that is considered to be the change from Continentality to Oceanity? Would this temperature change with latitude?

Would be nice if someone could point me to some literature on the subject.

Thank you!

**Tags:** climate

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You mean something like 'The temperature is XX K lower above the ocean than above the land'? Have a look for the key word 'Land-Sea-Breeze'. Land breezes and sea breezes evolve through differences in the land surface and sea surface temperatures. But depending on the day time the one or the other evolves.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-05-07. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

The borders are fluent between continentality and maritimity. However, there are several indices, aiming to clarify this question. For instance, the probably earliest one is from Gorczynski (1920):
$$K\_{Gorczynski} = 1.6 \cdot \frac{A}{\sin \varphi} - 14$$
where $A$ is the annual temperature amplitude of the location and $\varphi$ the latitude of the location. Another one, which is more often used, is from Iwanow (1956):
$$K\_{Iwanow} = 260 \cdot \frac{\Delta T}{\varphi}$$
where $\varphi$ is the latitude again and
$$\Delta T=T\_\mathrm{max} - T\_\mathrm{min}$$
where $T\_\mathrm{max}$ is the temperature maximum and $T\_\mathrm{min}$ the temperature minimum. The results are characterized as following:

* K < 100: maritime
* 100 < K < 200: continental
* K > 200: strongly continental

To answer the second part of the question: as the indices show, the latitude needs to be considered. Currently I do not have the original publication by Gorczynski or Iwanow here, however there are some papers comparing different indices (there are several more), for example [this one](https://www.erdkunde.uni-bonn.de/archive/1989/continentality-indices.-methodological-revision-and-proposition/at_download/attachment). Furthermore, the indices can be looked up in the most climatology basic literature and [encyclopedia](https://books.google.de/books?id=-mwbAsxpRr0C&pg=PA304&lpg=PA304&dq=Gorczynski%201920#v=onepage&q=Gorczynski%201920&f=false). At least, it is needed to mention that username_2 username_2 hits the point in his answer in the last sentence: The continentality is just *one* variable - there are several more. Look for climate classifications, like those from Köppen & Geiger or Schultz.

*Edit: Original reference*

Gorczynski, L. (1920): Sur le calcul du degre de continentalisme et son application dans la climatologie. In: Geografiska Annaler 2, p. 324-331.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2016-04-29. Score: 2

There is no such criterion. However, I'm sure one could devise one. For example, at any given location collect the differentials between daily maximum and minimum temperature. Average these differentials over each month and plot month vs mean differential temperature. Do this for many oceanic, continental and coastal locations. Plot the graphs, compare, and define your own criteria for different categories.

But why? What purpose would it serve?


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