|
|
|
© NOAA
|
|
NOAA 50km resolution daily global analysis
of sea surface temperature anomaly chart.
|
|
The two most important factors in the climate of an area are temperature
and precipitation. The yearly average temperature of the area is obviously
important, but the yearly range in temperature is also important. Some
areas have a much larger range between highest and lowest temperature
than other areas. Likewise, average precipitation is important, but the
yearly variation in rainfall is also important. Some areas have about
the same rainfall throughout the year. Other areas have very little rainfall
for part of the year and a lot of rainfall for the other part of the year.
 |
|
© NOAA
|
|
August National Rank for average precipitation
of various regions throughout the United States in a 107-year
period.
|
|
The average temperature in an area depends mainly on the latitude. Generally,
areas near the equator have high average temperatures, and areas nearer
the poles have lower average temperatures. The range of temperature, however,
depends more on where the area is located in relation to the oceans. Areas
where winds usually blow from the ocean have a smaller range of temperature
than areas far away from the ocean, in the interior of a continent. That
is because water has a much greater heat capacity than rock and soil.
It takes much more heat from the sun to warm up water than it takes to
warm up rock and soil. Likewise, water cools off much more slowly than
rock and soil on cold, clear nights.
Back To Top
|
