Overall, the windward slopes typically receive between 1,500 to 3,000 mm of precipitation per year. A variety of geologic materials and landforms are present. Glacially derived materials and landforms and areas of glacial lake deposits shape the landscape in the north. Surface waters are characterized by an abundance of perennial streams, small areas with high densities of lakes, a diversity of wetland communities and a rich array of maritime ecosystems. The climate is generally warm, humid and temperate, although there is a latitudinal gradient from cool, continental temperatures to those that are subtropical.
Summers are hot and humid, and winters are mild to cool.
The average daily minimum temperature in winter is 12 C in the north and 4 C in the south. The Prairies range from smooth to irregular plains. In the north, they are generally flat to slightly rolling plains. In the south, the landscape alternates flat areas and low hills. Much of the prairie landscape has been shaped by a variety of glacial deposits consisting mostly of undulating and kettled glacial till, and level to gently- rolling lacustrine deposits.