Why does northwestern Europe have a warmer climate than western Russia at similar latitudes?

The reason northwestern Europe experiences a warmer climate than western Russia at similar latitudes is primarily due to the moderating influence of the North Sea. The North Sea acts as a buffer for the coastal regions of northwestern Europe, where ocean currents, particularly the North Atlantic Drift, help to transport warmer water from the tropics towards the continent. This oceanic influence leads to milder winters and cooler summers compared to regions further inland, like western Russia, which are not as directly influenced by warm ocean currents.

In contrast, western Russia, while at similar latitudes, is subject to more continental climatic effects. It lacks the same moderating ocean influence, leading to greater temperature extremes and generally colder conditions during the winter months. Thus, it is the presence of the North Sea and the associated ocean currents that primarily account for the climate differences, making this the correct explanation.