Here's why:
* Specific heat capacity refers to the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by a certain amount. Water has a very high specific heat capacity compared to other common substances.
* Moderating effect: This high specific heat capacity means that water takes a lot of energy to heat up and a lot of energy to cool down.
* Lakes as temperature regulators: During the day, lakes absorb a large amount of solar energy, warming up relatively slowly. This prevents drastic temperature increases in the surrounding air. Conversely, at night, the water releases the stored heat slowly, preventing extreme temperature drops.
This is why coastal areas and areas near large lakes tend to have more moderate climates compared to inland regions.
