Here's why:

* Continental climates are characterized by large temperature swings between seasons. This is because inland areas are far from the moderating effects of oceans and large lakes.

* Oceanic climates, on the other hand, are influenced by the water's ability to absorb and release heat, leading to more moderate temperatures throughout the year.

So, if you want to say a climate is influenced by its distance from large water bodies, "continental" is the appropriate word.