As we well know, the temperature when we get up is not the same as that recorded at noon, when the star king is high in the sky. This numerical difference between the minimum and maximum values observed during a given period of time is called thermal amplitude, and is used in atmospheric and oceanic research in a given geographic area, as well as for farmers and gardeners. This measurement is crucial in the study of phenomena such as climate change and its effects.
They are therefore very important values, since thanks to their study we can know more details about the different climates.
What parameters affect the thermal amplitude?
The value of the thermal amplitude, also known as thermal oscillation, depends on the following factors:
March
As it has a higher heat capacity and heat conductivity, causes a decrease in the daily and annual temperature rangeWhile the Earth's crust cools and warms rapidly, the ocean does so at a slower pace, so in coastal areas there isn't a large difference between maximum and minimum temperatures, as is the case in inland areas. Therefore, it is essential to consider this aspect when studying the thermal amplitude in various regions.
Topography
Regarding topography, on the slopes of the mountains the thermal oscillation is less than on the plains, since they are areas that are much less exposed to inclement weather. In this sense, it is interesting to observe how other factors such as the heat stress will influence the quality of life in certain areas, especially in climates where the thermal amplitude can vary considerably.
Cloudiness
The greater the cloudiness, the smaller the amplitude will be since the clouds cover the sun, preventing its rays from reaching the Earth. This phenomenon not only affects the thermal amplitude, but is also linked to the spread of pathogens that can affect the health of populations.
Latitude
The closer you are to the poles and the equator, the smaller the thermal amplitude will be.. On the contrary, if you are in a region that has a temperate climate, the maximum temperature and the minimum temperature can be very different. (We will get back to this point later).
What is the variation of the diurnal temperature?
Is the variation in temperature that occurs between the hottest time of day and the coldest at night. Variations in daytime temperature can be very large on the surface of the earth, such as in deserts, where 38ºC or more are recorded during the day and at night they drop to a cold 5ºC.
El temperature range is an important factor in the variation of the daytime temperature, and is that when solar energy reaches the surface in the morning, a light layer, between 1 and 3 cm, of air that is just above the ground is heated by conduction . The heat exchange between this thin layer of warm air and the cooler air above it is inefficient, so much so that on a summer day temperatures could vary by 30ºC from just above ground to waist level. The solar radiation that can enter in summer is higher than the heat that is already inside the planet in that particular region, and the situation does not balance out until the afternoon.
What is the temperature range in ...?
Map of thermal amplitudes of Spain
As we mentioned, the study of temperature ranges is of utmost importance for science, but also for other fields such as agriculture and gardening. Not only is it interesting to know more details about different climates, but it will also make it much easier for us to grow certain plants over others, since specific species grow in each climate. Thus, Let's see what thermal amplitude there is according to the climate:
- Equatorial climate: temperatures are high throughout the year. The average temperature is above 18ºC, and can reach between 20 and 27ºC. But what is most striking is the little difference between the coldest month and the warmest month: 3ºC or less.
- Tropical climate: Temperatures remain high year-round, so it is a climate without a winter. The average temperature of the coldest month is over 18°C, and the temperature fluctuation can reach 10°C, a factor to consider when studying the thermal amplitude in the equatorial climate.
- Mediterranean climate: temperatures remain mild practically all year round, except in summer when they are very high and can reach 45ºC. The average annual temperature is about 14ºC, with a temperature range of between 5ºC and 18ºC between the coldest month and the warmest month.
- Continental weather: Temperatures are very low in winter and very high in summer. The average temperature can be as low as -16°C. The temperature range is very large, over 30°C, which highlights the importance of studying the different bioclimatic zones to understand the variations.
- High mountain climate: In the mountains, the temperature decreases with altitude, but we can still say that winter temperatures are low, reaching -20ºC, and summer temperatures are mild. Thus, the thermal oscillation is less than 20ºC, an interesting aspect to study in the context of the mountains of León.
- Polar climate: temperatures are always low or very low. Winter lasts eight or nine months, and during the few weeks that summer lasts, it barely exceeds 0ºC. With a minimum that can be -50ºC, the polar thermal amplitude is enormous, over 50ºC.
And with this we are done. I hope you have learned more about thermal amplitude .