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Your current latitude affects ambient air temperature because latitude determines your distance on Earth between the Earth's poles and the Earth's equator. The closer you are to the North or South Pole (e.g.: the higher your latitude), the cooler the ground and ambient air will be because there is less sunlight striking the Earth. Conversely, the closer you are to the Equator (e.g.: the lower your latitude), the warmer the ground and ambient air will be because there is more sunlight striking the Earth.
The equator is the hottest spot. The closer the latitude is to the equator, the hotter the temperature is, and opposite; the farther the latitude is from the equator, the colder the temperature is.
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Taiga
EzraLatitude affects temperature primarily because the angle at which the sun's rays hit the Earth varies depending on the location. Areas near the equator receive more direct sunlight and therefore tend to be warmer, while areas closer to the poles receive less direct sunlight and are cooler. This difference in solar energy absorption leads to temperature variations across different latitudes.
Firstly, the more latitude (north or south of the equator) you have, the more of an inclined plane you offer to the suns direction of energy, spreading the energy over a larger area, reducing its unit area impact.
Secondly, it has further to travel through the earths atmosphere, dispersing more of its energy (lowering temperature).
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Why do mid latitude cyclones not form in tropics?
Mid-latitude cyclones typically form at the boundary between two contrasting air masses, which is common in the mid-latitudes where there are larger temperature gradients. In the tropics, the air masses are more uniform and stable, with less temperature contrast, making it less conducive for the formation of mid-latitude cyclones. Additionally, the Coriolis effect, which helps drive the rotation of cyclones, is weaker near the equator, further inhibiting their formation in the tropics.
What is responsible for the difference in temperature above the earth's surface?
The temperature difference above Earth's surface is mainly due to variations in solar radiation absorption and atmospheric conditions. Different parts of the planet receive varying amounts of sunlight depending on factors like latitude and time of year, leading to variations in temperature. Additionally, atmospheric dynamics, such as the greenhouse effect and vertical temperature profiles, also contribute to differences in temperature at different altitudes.
How does temperature change with elevation and latitude?
Temperature generally decreases with increasing elevation due to the decrease in atmospheric pressure, which results in cooler conditions. As for latitude, temperature tends to decrease towards the poles due to the angle at which sunlight hits the Earth's surface, causing differences in heating and cooling patterns.
Does the annual temperature range decrease as latitude increases?
Yes, the annual temperature range generally decreases as latitude increases. This is because areas closer to the equator experience more consistent temperatures throughout the year, while areas closer to the poles have more extreme temperature fluctuations between seasons.
Which of the following has the least effect on lake water temperature?
Shade from surrounding trees has the least effect on lake water temperature.
