Critical Reasoning

The Northeast region of the United States has a climate that is unique at the latitude. For example, Burlington, Vermont is at 44 degrees north latitude, the same latitude as Southern France. Southern France has a typical mid-temperate zone climate characterized by warm, dry summers and cool winters with only occasional snowfall. Yet Burlington's climate is similar to that of Anchorage, Alaska and Helsinki, Finland, each or which are located about 1000 miles further north.

Which of the following, if true, best helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy discussed above?

A) The warm waters of the Mediterranean Ocean influence the weather of Southern France, especially the French Riviera.

B) The circulation of air around low pressure centers generally brings cold northern air to the western side of the low pressure.

C) Altitude influences climate as much as does latitude and Burlington, Anchorage, and Helsinki are all less than 200 feet above sea level.

D) The atmospheric jet stream moving across North America is diverted, by the Rocky Mountains, far to the south, bringing cold arctic Canadian air to the northeastern United States year round.

E) The Western region of the contiguous United States has a stable climate dominated by the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean.