Thunderstorms, cold waves, heat waves, and droughts are rare. Humid continental climates feature mild to warm summers and cold winters. The temperature difference between the warmest and coldest months of the year in-creases inland. Precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, though many locations well inland have more precipitation in the summer. Snow is a major element in humid continental climates.
Snow cover has a chilling effect on climate.
Snow strongly reflects solar radiation back into space, lowering daytime temperatures. Snow also efficiently sends out infrared radiation, lowering nighttime temperatures. Freezes can occur even in midsummer. Most precipitation falls in the summer. Snow comes early in the fall and lasts on the ground into early summer.