In North America, both the Western Cordilleras and the Eastern Highlands extend in a north-south direction parallel to the coast. Thus, in winter, the cold winds from the tundra region can easily reach the interior of the continent as there is no east-west range to block it. Likewise, in summer, the warm winds from the torrid zone raise the temperature of places situated in the temperate latitudes. The direction of the mountain ranges also cuts off the interior central plains from the maritime influence of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
