Which climate is characterized by four distinct seasons, including a cold winter and a hot summer?

The humid continental climate is recognized for its significant seasonal variations, featuring four distinct seasons: a cold winter, a warm spring, a hot summer, and a cool autumn. This type of climate is typical in regions that are typically found in the interior of continents, where the temperature differences between seasons are pronounced.

During winter, temperatures can drop significantly, often leading to snowfall. In contrast, summer temperatures can rise notably, creating warm to hot weather patterns. This climate is conducive to diverse ecosystems and agricultural practices that vary with the seasons, resulting in unique flora and fauna adapted to these changing conditions.

The other types of climates presented are characterized by different seasonal patterns or temperature ranges. For instance, prairie climates tend to have more moderate seasonal shifts and are generally semi-arid, while marine climates experience milder temperatures year-round due to the influence of large bodies of water. Subtropical climates are warmer throughout the year and typically lack the strong seasonal contrasts found in humid continental climates. Hence, the distinctive feature of having all four seasons, particularly with the contrasting cold winter and hot summer, clearly identifies the humid continental climate as the correct answer.