why temperatures vary

Question 1

what are the differences in receipt of solar radiation?

Answer 1

-latitude
-season
-time of day

Question 2

differences in characteristics of earth’s surfaces

Answer 2

-different surfaces absorb varying amounts of solar energy and in turn cause variations in temperature of air above
-land heats more rapidly and to higher temps than water, and it cools more rapidly and to lower temps than water

Question 3

what are prevailing winds?

Answer 3

-coastal locations where prevailing winds blow from the ocean onto the shore (a windward coast) experiences considerably different temps than does a costal location where prevailing winds blow from the land toward the ocean (a leeward coast)

Question 4

what happens with a windward coast?

Answer 4

moderating influence of ocean - cool summer and mild winters

Question 5

what happens with leeward coast?

Answer 5

warmer summers and colder winters

Question 6

what does cloud cover and albedo do?

Answer 6

-clouds reflect heat
-snow and albedo - one reason mountain glaciers do not melt away in the summer