DMPQ- What are the factors that control temperature distribution on the surface of the earth?

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. The temperature of air at any place is influenced by :

  • The latitude of the place;
  • The altitude of the place;
  • distance from the sea, the airmass circulation;
  • The presence of warm and cold ocean currents;
  • Local aspects.

 

The latitude

The temperature of a place depends on the insolation received. It has been explained earlier that the insolation varies according to the latitude hence the temperature also varies accordingly.

The altitude

The atmosphere is indirectly heated by terrestrial radiation from below. Therefore, the places near the sea-level record higher temperature than the places situated at higher elevations.

Distance from the sea

Another factor that influences the temperature is the location of a place with respect to the sea. Compared to land, the sea gets heated slowly and loses heat slowly. Land heats up and cools down quickly.

Air-mass and Ocean currents

Like the land and sea breezes, the passage of air masses also affects the temperature. The places, which come under the influence of warm air-masses experience higher temperature and the places that come under the influence of cold airmasses experience low temperature.

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