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How does the Gobi Desert affect Inner Mongolia’s climate?

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Wide autumn valley with golden grass in the foreground and low, tree-covered mountains of the Greater Khingan Range in the distance under a clear sky. — Inner Mongolia Da Hinggan (Greater Khingan) Range, southeast of Hailar, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.

The Gobi Desert significantly influences the climate of Inner Mongolia by contributing to its arid, continental conditions and extreme seasonal temperature fluctuations.12

As a "cold desert," the Gobi is characterized by its high elevation and inland location, which isolates the region from the moderating effects of the ocean. This geography results in a climate marked by:13

Extreme Temperatures: Inner Mongolia experiences bitterly cold winters, with temperatures often dropping well below freezing due to cold air masses sweeping in from Siberia. Conversely, summers are hot, creating a sharp annual temperature range.12
Meagre Precipitation: The Gobi areas within Inner Mongolia are exceptionally dry, receiving less than 2 inches (50 mm) of annual precipitation. This aridity is exacerbated by the region's position in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, which blocks moisture from the Indian Ocean.21
Environmental Challenges: The harsh, dry climate of the Gobi-influenced zones makes agriculture difficult, as the region faces frequent droughts and a limited frost-free growing season.2