 Southern and western Quebec, including most of the major population centres and areas south of 51oN, have a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification "Dfb") with four distinct seasons having warm to occasionally hot and humid summers and often very cold and snowy winters.The main climatic influences are from western and northern Canada and move eastward, and from the southern and central United States that move northward.Because of the influence of both storm systems from the core of North America and the Atlantic Ocean, precipitation is abundant throughout the year, with most areas receiving more than of precipitation, including over of snow in many areas.