Distribution of temperature and inversion of temperature

Latitude controls the amount of solar energy received. In exams link low latitude with high insolation.

The continental interior is away from marine moderation so its range is higher. In exams check continentality in same latitude comparisons.

A warm current can raise local temperature above latitudinal expectation. In exams explain anomaly through ocean current.

Moist air over a cold current may cool near its dew point. In exams link fog with cold current plus moist air.

Closely spaced isotherms show large temperature change over short distance. In exams link spacing with gradient.

Increase of temperature with height is inversion or inverse lapse rate. In exams identify it from the vertical profile.

The ground first cools by radiation and then cools the air in contact. In exams treat surface cooling as the first step.

During inversion cold air collects on the valley floor while a thermal belt may develop on slopes. In exams link settlement with microclimate.

Long cold calm nights in winter enhance surface cooling. In exams treat winter nights as inversion prone.

During day land heats more and air from sea cools the coast. In exams treat local wind as a local temperature control.

At night land cools faster than sea so air moves from land to sea. In exams link land breeze with night cooling.

In inversion lower cold air cannot rise because a warm stable layer exists above. In exams link suppressed convection with inversion.

Dry open surface loses heat rapidly at night. In exams link dry clear conditions with strong cooling.

On calm cold nights lower air cools and can trap fog and pollutants. In exams link winter morning fog with inversion.

Vegetation controls local temperature through shade and evapotranspiration. In exams treat vegetation as a local control of temperature.

Snow has high albedo so much energy is reflected. In exams link albedo with surface temperature.

Slope aspect changes the amount of solar radiation received so temperature may differ. In exams treat aspect as a local temperature factor.

Latitude is a basic control but local and regional factors modify temperature. In exams write a multi factor explanation.

Near a front cold air below and warm air above can create inversion. In exams identify the warm over cold arrangement.

After sunrise the surface warms and convective mixing can break inversion. In exams link morning breakup with surface heating.

When other factors are less dominant, temperature varies with latitudinal solar energy. In exams link parallel isotherms with latitude control.

Clouds and water vapour moderate temperature during both day and night. In exams link humid cloudy areas with low diurnal range.

Temperature generally decreases with altitude even at the same latitude. In exams treat altitude as a control separate from latitude.

During inversion near surface temperature may become very low and form frost. In exams link inversion with frost hazard.

Near coasts ocean currents and maritime influence bend isotherms. In exams check both coast and current in map interpretation.