Discuss the important aspects of latitudinal variations in temperature and explain how heat is distributed from equatorial and subequatorial regions toward the poles
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: On an annual basis, the Earth surface–atmosphere system gains more radiation than it loses between latitudes at about 38° north and south, and it loses more than it gains poleward of these two parallels. The boundary between zones of radiant energy surpluses and deficits migrates seasonally. During the Northern Hemisphere summer, most of the area north of about 15° S gains more radiant energy than it loses. During the Northern Hemisphere winter, most areas south of about 15° N take in more radiation than they emit. The energy surplus at low latitudes is offset by the horizontal movement, or advection, of heat poleward. This transfer is accomplished primarily by the global wind systems (75 percent), and secondarily by the oceanic currents (25 percent). As the wind and water currents move, they carry with them their internal heat, which is redistributed across the globe.
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