Factors Affecting Temperature

Many factors affect temperature. Among them, three factors that affects temperature are as follows:

1. Altitude

The height measured from sea level is called altitude. At low altitude, there is a thick mass of air which can absorb a sufficient amount of sun heat, so it is hot at low altitude. However, when the altitude increases, the temperature also gradually decreases. Therefore, at high altitude, there is a very thin mass of air which cannot absorb sufficient amount of sun's heat, so it is cold at high altitude. The temperature decreases by 1⁰C when the altitude increases by 160 m to 165m.

2. Latitude:

It is one most important factor that affects the climate of a particular place. When the latitude increases, the distant from the sun also increases, so the temperature gradually decreases. The equator lies very near from the sun, so direct ray falls over there and it is very hot throughout the year. But poles lie far from the sun. So, slanting rays fall over there and it is very cold. So, it is cold winter is dominant throughout the year. No plants and animals can survive on poles particularly the South Pole.

3. Distance from the sea and ocean:

During summer, the earth lies near the sun, so the perpendicular sun rays fall over there. The water of sea or ocean gets heated and cools down slowly in comparison to land. In comparison with water, land gets heated faster and cools down fast. As the distance from the sea or ocean increases, the temperature increases. During summer, due to direct fall of sun rays over the sea or ocean, the water is evaporated that causes the highest rainfall in this season.

During winter, the earth lies a little bit far from the sun. So, slanting sun rays fall on the earth. As we know that water absorbs more sun heat than the land. So, when the distance from the sea or ocean increases, the temperature gradually decreases as the land cools down fast. Due to less slanting rays during winter, less rainfall takes place as the evaporation takes place. Due to which the days in winter are shorter than in summer and less rainfall takes place.

4. Oceanic current

The movement of oceanic water depends upon sea breeze and temperature. This keeps on flowing on the bank of the ocean which is called oceanic current. The equatorial region is very hot so the air coming from that region is warm. The air coming from the polar region is cold. So, the area where there is warm current, we find a warm climate there. Similarly, the area where there is cold current, we find a cold climate there.