What Controls the Temperature?

The sun provides the Earth with heat, ultimately creating the conditions for varied climates and temperatures.

The Earth features an extensive atmosphere that allows the planet to retain energy from the sun. Since the Earth is constantly rotating while revolving around the sun, the amount of solar energy that the Earth receives is constantly in fluctuation. This brings about the atmospheric activity that is observed on Earth every day, most notably the weather. In conjunction with the Earth's topographical environment and position to the sun, atmospheric activity creates variable climate conditions. All of these factors play a role in controlling the temperature.

Seasons

The seasons are created by the Earth's proximity to the sun. Since the poles of the Earth are tilted slightly off axis, the angle of approaching sunlight varies depending on where the Earth is in orbit around the sun. When an area is tilted toward the sun, it receives a more concentrated amount of solar energy. This is what brings about the higher temperatures of the summer season. In contrast, when an area of the Earth is tilted away from the sun, the solar energy it receives is dispersed over a larger area due to the shallower angle of the approaching sunlight. This brings about the lower temperatures that define the winter season.

Geographic Location

The geographic location of an area controls its temperature in a number of ways. Areas closest to the equator generally feature the highest temperatures on Earth. This is due to the equator being more in the path of direct sunlight than other areas, the same way that seasons are created. Areas further north generally feature lower temperatures for the same reason. This is what gives the Earth its polar ice caps, which are the geographic regions that receive the lowest amount of solar energy year-round.

Atmospheric Conditions

The Earth's atmosphere has many features that will control the temperature of specific areas. There are numerous atmospheric currents that flow throughout the globe; these are known as jet streams. Jet streams help circulate different air masses throughout the globe. Air masses vary in temperature, as well as in air pressure. Since these air masses are constantly flowing, the temperature and weather patterns of an area will fluctuate depending on the characteristics of the air mass it is currently under.

Topography

The topography of an area affects the atmospheric conditions it experiences, and thus the temperature. Areas situated close to an ocean generally feature lower temperatures than inland areas, due to the cooler ocean air masses flowing inland. Since colliding air masses of varying temperature and pressure create rain and storm conditions, ocean areas generally feature heavy weather activity. Mountains also can affect an area's temperature. By blocking or altering the path of approaching air masses, mountains play a role in deciding the atmospheric conditions of areas closely situated to them.

References

• Weather Questions: What Causes the Seasons
• The UK Environmental Change Network: Factors Affecting Climate