The specific heat of water is relatively high. This means that...

Question

It takes a relatively small amount of energy to change its temperature.

It tends to stabilize the temperatures of nearby land.

It tends to destabilize the temperatures of nearby land, subjecting it to extremely high and low temperatures.

Answer 1

It would tend to stabilize the temperatures of nearby land. Having a high specific heat means that it takes a lot of heat to raise the water's temperature. This means that water can absorb a lot of heat without being affected temperature-wise Therefore, places with water nearby have good weather control and often have stable weather without drastic changes.