Why does the Po Valley have hot summers and severe winters?

The Po Valley experiences a continental climate characterized by hot summers and severe winters because it is attached to the European continent and lacks the moderating influence of the Mediterranean Sea that defines much of the rest of Italy.1

While the Alps act as a partial barrier against westerly and northerly winds, the valley's inland position results in significant temperature extremes. Winters are particularly harsh in the interior compared to the eastern coast, often accompanied by fog, while summers are hot and humid. The region's climate is distinct from the temperate conditions found in the southern peninsula, which is surrounded by the sea.12